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LL A.ALGER. 



|V»,ie,Wg^^, Legt'sWt'wTre^ I *? t' 7 



LATE SENATOR IN THE CONGRESS OF THE 
UNITED STATES FROM MICHIGAN 



iHemortal €xtxtm6 

Of the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of 
Michigan in Joint Session, April 10, A. D. 1907 



^feetcf) of Senator ^User's Cife 



Compiled Under the Direction of the Chairman of the Joint 

Memorial Committee and Published by 

Anthority of the Legislature 



r*7 ^ 






MAR 10 1S09 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



TABLL OF CONTLNTS 



Introductory .... 

Programme of Memorial Exercises 

Address by Hon. P. H. Kelly . 

Resolutions 

I^etters of Regret 

Address by Hon. Joseph Greusel 

Address by Hon. J. C. Burrows 

Address by Hon. Fred M. Warner 

Address by Hon. Don. M. Dickinson 

Address by Gen. H. M. Duffield 

Address by Hon. John T. Rich . 

Sketch of the I^ife of General Alger 

Proceedings in the Senate and House of 
Representatives 



5 

7 

9 

II 

13 

21 

27 

37 
43 
65 
73 
77 

91 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



INTRODUCTORY 

This volume is published by authority of the Legislature 
of Michigan. In compiling it the chairman of the committee 
in charge has endeavored to make it a fitting tribute to the 
distinguished character of the subject of the Memorial exer- 
cises. On the occasion of the Memorial exercises the Hall of 
Representatives was filled to overflowing. Nearly every 
member of the House and Senate answered the roll call, the 
Governor and his staff were present in uniform, and the 
Justices of the Supreme Court and all the state officers occupied 
the space reserved for them. The immediate members of the 
family of the departed Senator were also present, and the 
galleries of the hall were crowded with friends from near and 
far who had come to pay their last respects to the memory of 
the man who had honored the state in so many prominent 
positions in life. The volume contains the full text of the 
addresses on that occasion, together with the Legislative 
proceedings pertaining thereto, and letters of regret from the 
President and cabinet officers; also a comprehensive sketch of 
the life of the late Senator. 

The resolutions adopted in the Joint Convention were 
handsomely engrossed and presented to the family of the 
deceased, the receipt of which was graciously acknowledged. 
The concluding act has been the placing in the Capitol by the 
family of a handsome life-sized portrait of the distinguished 
Senator. 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



PROGRAMME OF MEMORIAL EXERCI5E5 



Invocation Chaplain G. H. Jones 

Seventh Regiment United States Infantry 

Address Hon. P. H. Kelly 

Lieutenant Governor of Michigan 

Letters of Regret and Resolutions . Hon. J. Edward Bland 
Chairman Joint Committee 

Address Hon. Joseph Greusel 

Chairman House Committee 

Address Hon. Julius Caesar Burrows 

Senior United States Senator from Michigan 

Address Hon. Fred M. Warner 

Governor of Michigan 

Address Hon. Don. M. Dickinson 

Former Postmaster-General of the United States 

Address Gen. Henry M. Duffield 

Address Hon. John T. Rich 

Former Governor of Michigan 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



ADDRL55 BY HON. P. H. KLLLY 

Gentlemen: 

We have met here tonight to commemorate the Hfe and 
character of Russell A. Alger. 

Here in this chamber are assembled private citizens, the 
State Legislature, the Governor and other civil and military 
officers of the State, Senators and Representatives in the 
Congress of the United States, Judges and others of high 
rank, to pay their sincere tribute to the memory of a good 
man. 

General Alger was a worthy recipient of high honors 
from the people of Michigan and from the nation, serving 
with fidelity in peace and in war — Governor, Secretary of War, 
United States Senator, and the choice of the people of his 
state before at least one National convention for the Presidency 
of the Nation itself. 

General Alger was always true to Michigan and her 
interests, and throughout his whole political career Michigan, 
in return, never once failed him or refused him her allegiance. 
At times when the public mind was laboring under high ten- 
sion, other sections of the country may have for the moment 
doubted his ability to properly discharge the duties of some 
high place to which he had been called, but here in Michigan, 
where he had been tried and where we knew him, his char- 
acter and his ability were never even temporarily called into 
question. 

It is not for this generation to put a final value upon the 
services of its own public men. That can safely be done only 
by those farther removed from the prejudices and the passions 
of the hour, but when the members of President McKinley's 
War Cabinet shall have been assigned their true places in 
history, the Michigan estimate of General Alger will, in 
my judgment, have been found to be the correct one. 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



But Russell A. Alger, in the flesh, is no more. He has 
gone the way of all the earth. Wealth, honor, station, associa- 
tion with Presidents and Cabinets cannot avail to stay the 
hand of death. He obeyed a like summons and must stand 
before the same God as the humblest citizens of the republic. 

General Alger has passed out from the presence of men, 
but the influence of his life, public and private, will continue 
to live as a part of the treasure of our state. How fortunate 
it is, that when guod men die, the fires they have kindled and 
the lamps they have lighted do not go out. The living influence 
of the dead, coming down to us from all the ages of the past, 
constitute the civilization of the present. 

Jefferson has gone, but the spirit of the Declaration of 
Independence still points the way. Hamilton has gone, but the 
Constitution of the United States continues a living force. 
Lincoln has gone, but the cause of human liberty moves on 
from one triumph to another. Moses walked the earth far 
back in the i)rimitive ages of the world, but the superstructure 
of the English law rests upon the Ten Commandments. The 
Son of Man died upon the cross more than eighteen hundred 
years ago and was laid away in a borrowed tomb, but 
Christianity has become the greatest moral force in the world. 

We are, therefore, somewhat reconciled to the loss of our 
great men, for we know, that though dead, the influence of 
their lives and the purposes of their hearts live on and on, 
take root in other lives, put new purposes into other hearts, 
and shape and fashion the lives of generations yet unborn. 

The influence of a noble life, the high purpose of a choice 
spirit — these do not die. 

"These shall resist the empire of decay, 
When time is o'er and worlds have passed away ; 
Cold in the dust the perished heart may lie, 
But that which warmed it once can never die." 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



RL50LUTION5 

Senator Bland on behalf of the Joint Committee offered the 
following Resolutions, which were adopted: 

Resolved, That the Legislature of the State of Michigan 
expresses its profound sorrow on account of the death of 
Honorable Russell A. Alger, late Senator from the State of 
Michigan, at Washington, D. C, at 8 45 a. m., on the 24th 
day of January, 1907. 

Resolved, That as a mark of respect to the memory of the 
deceased, the business of the Senate and House of Repre- 
sentatives, in joint convention assembled, be now suspended, 
to enable those associated with him in his civil, military and 
public career, to pay proper tribute to his high character and 
distinguished services. 

Resolved, That as a further mark of respect to the 
memory of the deceased, the joint convention, at the conclusion 
of the exercises of this day, shall stand adjourned. 

Resolved, Further, That as a mark of the approval by the 
people of the State, of the life and character of Russell A. 
Alger and of their devotion to his memory, as well as an 
expression of their sympathy in their great bereavement, a copy 
of these resolutions, suitably engrossed, be prepared and trans- 
mitted to the family of the deceased. 

J. Edward Bland, 
Charles Smith, 
Fred. C. Wetmore, 

Senate Committee. 
Joseph Greusel, 
J. J. McCarthy, 

N. W. BURDICK, 

House Committee. 



II 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



LLTTLR5 OF RLGRLT BY HON. J. LDWARD BLAND 

From Hon. Wm. Alden Smith, United States Senator. 

"The Potter." ) 

Los Angeles, Cal., April 3, 1907. ) 

Hon. J. Edward Bland, 

and 
Hon. Jos. Greusel, 

Joint Committee Alger Memorial Service, 

Senate Chamber and House Representatives, 
Lansing, Mich. 

My Dear Friends: — When your courteous invitation was 
extended to me to deliver an address on the late Senator 
Alger before a joint session of the Legislature, State Officers 
and Supreme Court, my acceptance was conditional upon my 
returning from California in time to participate in your 
exercises. 

I find, however, that plans have been made by my father 
and mother, which it would be difficult to avoid without 
greatly disappointing them, and in their advanced years, I feel 
that I should make every sacrifice for their comfort and 
happiness. 

It will, therefore, be impossible for me to leave here in 
time to reach Lansing for the Memorial Service. This I 
greatly regret, as I appreciate the high honor which you have 
conferred upon me, and the opportunity thus afforded to pay 
my tribute of respect to the life, character and memory of our 
late Senator. 

It is eminently befitting that the State of Michigan should 
thus honor its distinguished son, whose heroic struggles in his 
early life, valor and gallantry in time of war and wise counsel 
and generous impulses have endeared him to all of the people of 

13 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



our commonwealth, — as he was unselfish, generous and kind, 
so we should be appreciative of his noble character and ever 
mindful of his sympathetic and inspiring life. 

I wish you would convey to the Legislature my sincere 
regret that I am unable to personally join in this service, and 
express my appreciation of the high honor you have conferred 
upon me. 

Trusting the occasion may be one to be remembered, I am, 
with great respect, 

Your obedient servant, 

Wm. Alden Smith. 



From Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, President of the 
United States. 

White House. I 

Washington, April 5, 1907. ) 
Hon. J. Edward Bland, 
State Senate, 

Lansing, Mich. 

My Dear Mr. Bland: — I have your letter of the 3rd inst. 
I regret I am not able to be present to pay honor to the 
memory of my valued friend, the late Senator Alger. 
Sincerely yours, 

Theodore Roosevelt. 



From Elihu Root, United States Secretary of State. 

Department of State. ) 

Washington, D. C, x\pril loth, 1907. I 
Hon. J. Edward Bland, 
Chairman, 

Lansing, Mich. 
I regret very much my inability to attend the Memorial 
Exercises in honor of my good friend, that noble and great 
hearted general, Russell A. Alger. 

Elihu Root, 

Secretary. 

14 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



From Hon. Charles J. Bonaparte, Attorney-General. 

Office of the Attorney General. I 

Washington, D C., April 6, 1907. i 

Hon. J. Edward Bland, 

State Senate of Michigan, 
Lansing, Mich. 

Dear Sir: — I am in receipt of your letter of the 3rd inst., 
with enclosed invitation to attend the Memorial Exercises in 
honor of the late Senator Russell A. Alger. While it 
would be a source of pleasure to me if I could be able to par- 
ticipate in this testimonial to the distinguished services in war 
and peace of the late Senator Alger, I am compelled to say 
that the pressure of my official duties will prevent me from 
doing so. 

Will you be good enough to accept my sincere thanks for 
your courtesy in the matter? 

Very truly yours, 

Charles T- Bonaparte. 



[ 



From Hon. V. H. Metcalf, Secretary of the Navy. 

Navy Department. 
Washington, April 6, 1907 
Hon. J. Edward Bland, 
Lansing, Mich. 
Dear Sir: — I have yours of the 3rd inst. in reference to 
the Memorial Exercises to l)e held in the Hall of Represent- 
atives, Lansing, Michigan, on the loth instant, in honor of the 
late Senator Russell A. Alger. I would like very much 
indeed to be present on that occasion, if for no other reason 
than by my presence to indicate my great respect and admir- 
ation for one who has contributed so much to his country's 
success. Unfortunately, however, my engagements are such 
as to prevent my accepting your invitation. 

Very truly yours, 

V. H. Metcalf, 

Secretary. 



15 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



From Hon. Truman H. Newberry, Assistant Secretary 
OF the Navy. 

Navy Department, ") 

Assistant Secretary's Office, r 

Washington, April 8, 1907. ^ 

My Dear Senator: — I am in receipt of your letter of 
April 3rd inviting me to attend the memorial exercises in 
honor of the late Senator Russell A. Alger, at the Hall of 
Representatives at Lansing, Michigan, on the evening of April 
loth, at eight o'clock, and I regret exceedingly that my official 
duties will prevent my presence on that occasion. For this I 
am really sorry, as I should have felt it a privilege to add a 
few words of my appreciation and knowledge of the splendid, 
manly character of the man himself, and of his invaluable 
service to his country, state and the City of Detroit. 

General Alger's death was a great personal sorrow to 
me, as it was to everyone who knew him personally, and met 
him either politically, or in the more intimate relations of 
business, or in his home life. 

I sincerely trust that I may some day receive a copy of the 
proceedings of the memorial exercises, and ask that you will 
explain to the Joint Committee, of which you are chairman, 
my sincere thanks for being remembered with an invitation, 
and for an opportunity to express, even in this brief way. my 
sense of a great personal loss. Yours truly, 

Truman H. Newberry, 

Assistant Secretary. 
Senator J. Edward Bland, 

Senate Chamber, Lansing, Michigan. 



16 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



From Hon. Geo. Von L. Meyer^ Postmaster General. 

The Postmaster General, ) 

Washington, April 8, 1907. f 
Hon. J. Edward Bland, 

Chairman Joint Committee, 
Lansing, Michigan. 

My Dear Sir: — Will you please express to the Legislature 
of the State of Michigan my great regret at being unable to 
attend the Memorial Exercises in honor of the late Senator 
Russell A. Alger. 

Believe me, 

Faithfully yours, 

G. VON L. Meyer. 



From Hon. James R. Garfield^ Secretary of the 

Interior. 

Department of the Interior. ) 

Secretary's Office. r 

Washington, D. C, April 5, 1907. * 

To Hon. J. Edward Bland, 
Lansing, Mich. 
Dear Sir: — I very much regret that owing to my work 
here, I find it impossible to accept the invitation of the 
Legislature of the State of Michigan to attend the Memorial 
Exercises on April loth, in honor of the late Senator Russell 
A. Alger. 

Very truly yours, 

James Randolph Garfield, 

Secretary. 



17 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



From Hon. James Wilson, Secretary of Agriculture. 

Department of Agriculture. 
Office of the Secretary. 
Washington, D. C, April 6th, 1907. 

Hon. J. Edward Bland, 
Senate of Michigan, 
Lansing, Mich. 

My Dear Sir: — I have the honor to acknowledge with 
thanks the receipt of your letter of the 3rd inst., transmitting 
an invitation from the Legislature of Michigan to attend the 
Memorial Exercises to the late Senator Alger to be held in 
Lansing on April loth. I would like to be present if public 
duties would permit, but I fear I cannot. 

I entered President McKinley's cabinet with General 
Alger. I learned to know him well. Twice a week we met 
at cabinet meetings and through all the excitement which 
antedated the Spanish-American war, I observed the great 
amount of intelligent work he did to get the armies of the 
United States in condition to serve the country. Many things 
were well known in those days that have not become history 
and may not for some time, with regard to the illy-prepared 
condition of the army, which had they been known, would have 
silenced the hostility towards the official at the head of the 
War Department, and also no doubt have given great aid and 
comfort to the enemy. I learned to know Senator Alger's 
kindness of heart and broad human sympathies. But good 
taste prevents me from going into detail with regard to his 
great work. A cabinet officer's mouth should be closed with 
regard to the inside facts and policies of the government, 
not only while he is in office, but during his life time. It is for 
the historian to go into the secret archives of the government, 
after the present generation has passed away, and do justice 
to faithful servants like General Alger, who have not been 
fully appreciated during their life time. 
Very truly yours, 

James Wilson, 

Secretary. 

18 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



From Mr. C. C. Wagner, Secretary to Secretary of 
War Taft. 

War Department. \ 

Washington, D. C, April 6, 1907. I 

Hon. J. Edward Bland, 

Chairman Joint Committee, 
State Senate, 

Lansing, Mich. 

My Dear Sir: — In the absence of the Secretary of War, I 
beg to acknowledge receipt of your favor of the 3rd of April, 
in which you enclose the invitation of the Legislature of the 
State of Michigan to attend the Memorial Exercises in honor 
of the late Senator Russell A. Alger on April loth. 

In reply I beg to say that the Secretary is on a visit to 
Panama, Cuba and Porto Rico, and will not return until the 
latter part of the month. While I do not know, of course, 
whether the Secretary would be able to participate in the 
ceremonies, were he in the country, I am sure that in view of 
his high regard for the late Senator, he would have felt honored 
to give you the desired message. 

Very respectfully, 

C. C. Wagner, 

Acting Private Secretary. 



19 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



ADDRL55 OF HON. J05LPH GRLU5LL 

Mr. Chairman: 

My acquaintance with Senator Alger began about the 
time he took up his residence in Detroit. During his term as 
Governor of Michigan relations became closer, and since then 
I have observed, at fairly close range, his political career down 
to the end. An incident attending General Alger's inaug- 
uration as Governor illustrates his resolute character and his 
disposition to do whatsoever devolved upon him to do, disre- 
garding personal comfort, or physical ailment. 

At the time set for the delivery of his inaugural message 
to the Legislature in joint convention assembled in this his- 
toric hall, Governor Alger was suffering from a cold which 
affected his throat and vocal organs. His physician dissuaded 
him from undertaking personally to address the legislature, 
the justices of the supreme court, the officers of state and the 
audience which filled the floor and the galleries. They advised 
that after a few introductory sentences he should hand the 
manuscript of the message over to his private secretary, and 
let the latter complete the reading. To Governor Alger's 
inquiry as to the vocal exertion necessary to make himself 
heard in this spacious hall, a reassuring answer — based on 
the apparent normal strength of his voice — was given. He 
decided that he would undertake the delivery of the message, 
expecting to complete it — at any rate, not to give up until it 
became plain that he must resign the duty to another. 

Accordingly he began the reading in a satisfactory man- 
ner, and carried it through to the end. His voice grew more 
flexible as he went on. Perhaps not one in the assemblage, 
outside of his physician and immediate friends, were aware of 
the throat trouble which, under similar circumstances, would 
have imposed silence upon most speakers. It was a character- 
istic sacrifice, but there were no ill results from the effort. 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



General Alger was a fine horseman — a born cavalry 
leader. It may be that in the long succession of honors that 
fell to his share, during his military and civil life, none gave 
him so much real gratification as his election to be Com- 
mander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. This 
election came to him at the encampment in Milwaukee in 
1889. 

He entered into this work as a labor of love. It was a 
congenial duty, and he gave more time to it than any com- 
mander ever chosen to that honorable position. He traveled 
from state to state making official inspections — something 
beyond all that had been accomplished by his predecessors. By 
this activity he aroused great interest among the old soldiers 
and was the means of mustering into the ranks of the grand 
army very many who up to that time had neglected to join. In 
Michigan — if not in other states — he paid the dues of many 
who were unable to afford that small sum. 

His reception on these visits to the G. A. R. posts as com- 
mander-in-chief were events in the history of the organiza- 
tion. The soldiers delighted to honor the gallant cavalry gen- 
eral who then stood at their head. In many cities where 
Commander-in-Chief Alger paid his visits they made gala 
days of the occasion. 

In 1890 the national encampment of the G. A. R. was held 
at Boston. It may be said that this encampment was, in point 
of numbers, enthusiasm and display, the greatest in the records 
of the Grand Army. Boston, fortunately situated, the chief 
city of the New England states, within easy distance of the 
great Middle States, and so near to the populous portion of 
the West as to make it accessible, even from the banks of the 
Mississippi, by a journey not at all fatiguing or unduly long 
or expensive — Boston, on this occasion, welcomed an army 
of veterans larger than any city had ever seen since the days 
of the grand parade at Washington at the close of the war. 

Not only the men of the various branches of the service, 
and the seamen who manned the ships, during the civil war, 
who seldom attend encampments held in interior places, were 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



present; but higher officers, also rarely present, such as com- 
manders of armies, and of army corps, of brigades, of regi- 
ments — so that every army and probably every battlefield was 
represented. It was the last appearance of Gen. Tecumseh 
Sherman, who hugely enjoyed the parade, occupying a special 
stand crowded with corps commanders and other generals of 
renown — the last opportunity the old soldiers had of seeing 
these loved commanders whom they had followed in the ranks 
of war; — proud, indeed, to pass once more in review before 
such witnesses. 

Boston, never outdone in preparing for events of this sort, 
accustomed each year to adorn her streets and edifices for the 
anniversaries of Lexington and Bunker Hill — was splendidly 
arrayed to do honor to her guests. It might be said that all of 
New England, and a goodly share of the population of New 
York and Pennsylvania, were in Boston to behold the spec- 
tacle. Certainly in every way it was an inspiring affair ; never 
to be surpassed, considering the men who were its attraction 
and upon whose silvering heads the glory of the day was 
showered. 

I think it was in that respect the grandest day of General 
Alger's life — though there have been days since 1890 when 
the hearts of the people in his own state have gone out to him 
more bounteously and spontaneously — when they have wel- 
comed him home again from onerous duties; when they have 
appreciated his achievements for the national welfare, and 
made known to the world their affection for, and their pride 
in, Russell A. Alger. 

General Alger, as commander-in-chief, led the parade 
of the grand army on that day at Boston. Some friends had 
furnished for his mount the finest war horse in the East — a 
spirited, splendid animal, whose mettle and exuberance could 
only be controlled by a masterful rider. 

The acclamations of the people thronging streets, stands 
and buildings, greeted General Alger along the line of 
march, miles in length. For a time they had no eyes for any- 
one else, the General being well in advance of the line, and his 

23 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



mounted color bearer the regulation distance from his chief. 
And when Alger took his place in the reviewing stand the old 
soldiers, post by post, as they marched by, took up the acclaim. 
It was a day of triumph, joyous and patriotic, excelling, in 
those sentiments at least, any that old Rome had seen — this 
march of the men of the old army — in peace, citizens; in war, 
soldiers; alike valorous and worthy in peace or in war. 

Another triumph came to General Alger in the political 
campaign of 1896, The issues were marked in that fervent 
campaign, and the number of wavering and undecided voters 
was great. The importance of a right decision on the ques- 
tions at issue were recognized, and both parties were strenuous 
in spreading their respective doctrines. 

The subject interested the people so generally that discus- 
sion was continuous. Not alone in regular meetings, but 
everywhere in public places, streets, shops and offices, many 
were eager to press their views, and the multitude as eager for 
enlightenment. Being in this receptive condition it was 
incumbent upon the well informed to instruct the people so 
that they might exercise wisely the right of suffrage, thereby 
to conserve the material welfare of the country and assure its 
prosperity for the future. 

General Alger saw an opportunity to do such work, and 
he set about it with his customary energy and enthusiasm. 
He organized what became known as the 'Tour of the Gen- 
erals.' It was an expedition, largely at his private expense, 
which comprised some famous soldiers, who were likewise 
orators — among them Generals Daniel E. Sickles of New 
York, O. O. Howard of Vermont, G. A. Marden of Massachu- 
setts, T. J. Stewart of Pennsylvania, the heroic Corporal 
James Tanner, with others from time to time assisting, all 
under the leadership of Alger. 

The tour started from Detroit, September 20, and ended 
at Philadelphia, October 24, 1896. The expedition traveled 
8,448 miles. It quite thoroughly went the length and breadth 
of the states of Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, 
Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, 

24 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



Kentucky, Ohio and Pennsylvania. It visited 255 cities, towns 
and smaller places, and the generals spoke at 276 different 
meetings. 

They met with ovations everywhere. For them — what 
with parades and processions, music, fireworks and all forms 
of popular welcome — it was a sort of continuous Fourth of 
July. Beyond doubt it stands at the head of all political tours 
that have been made, before or since. The results achieved 
were noteworthy, as the vote at the election demonstrated. 
The sober-minded people of the land rejoiced again at its 
preservation, as conspicuous in this great contest of the day of 
peace as in the danger and the turmoil of war. 

The home life of General Alger was most beautiful. As 
a citizen he was ever public spirited, ever liberal, and there are 
thousands who cherish his name as that of a benefactor. 

Detroit from its earliest history has been known for the 
hospitality of its homes. Among the many mansions in that 
city there is none whose doors have opened so freely in gen- 
erous hospitality to stranger and to neighbor as the Alger 
mansion. In this respect it is truly renowned. 

The hig:hest in the land have been sheltered beneath its 
roof: presidents, cabinet officers, senators, congressmen, leg- 
islators, generals, admirals, scholars, authors, painters, explor- 
ers, inventors, missionaries, philanthropists — men and women 
of distinction, representative of every pursuit in life. 

Often the comrades of the grand army have upon invita- 
tion visited it in a body — its honored guests; often, too, the 
Newsboys' Association. Probably during the life-time of the 
Senator no political convention of his party was held in 
Detroit that those in attendance did not enjoy the pleasures 
of a reception at this home. It was genuine hospitality, never 
narrow or restricted ; the host and hostess delighted to honor 
their guests, and were best content to fill the house with 
friends — old and new. Here, then, in the piping times of 
peace we may have some glimpses of the man, his employ- 
ments, his recreations. 



25 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



ADDRL5S OF HON. JULIU5 CAL5AR BURROW5 

Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Legislature: 

It is most fitting that you should suspend your ordinary leg- 
islative functions, and, meeting in joint assembly, pay tribute to 
the memory of one who held so conspicuous a place in the public 
regard, in the state and in the nation, as the late Senator 
Russell A, Alger. Though not to the manor born, yet as an 
adopted citizen of Michigan, he was for nearly a half a century 
prominently identified with the interests of the state, and there 
is scarcely a page of her history after he attained his majority 
where his name does not appear in honorable mention in con- 
nection with her civic and military annals. Coming to 
Michigan in 1859, ^^ the full vigor of early manhood, he took 
up the duties and responsibilities of life and left his impress 
upon the industrial and commercial development of his adopted 
state. The field of his activities, however, took a wider range, 
bringing him in contact with national affairs, in which arena he 
brought distinction to the commonwealth and achieved for 
himself an enduring place in the history of his country. 

It is not my purpose to repeat the story of his life. You are 
all familiar with it, and I commend its lessons to the study 
and emulation of every young man, ambitious for fame or 
fortune, with the assurance that it will be to him an unfailing 
source of inspiration to the highest human endeavor. 

The place Senator Alger held in the national esteem was 
exemplified by public manifestations of sorrow on the occasion 
of his death. Upon the announcement of his demise to the 
Senate, its business was at once suspended, resolutions adopted 
expressive of the nation's loss, and both Houses of Congress 
immediately adjourned. His obsequies at the Capitol were 
attended by the President and members of his Cabinet, the 
Vice-President, Senators and Representatives, and his body 
draped in the national colors, escorted to the funeral train with 

27 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



imposing military honors, while the populace stood as silent but 
impressive witnesses to the general feeling of public sorrow. 
And so, while the funeral rites were being performed in 
his home city, his country's flag was set at half mast over 
every army post in the Republic in token of the nation's loss 
and respect for its honored dead. But these public manifesta- 
tions, however impressive and sincere, were, after all, "but 
the trappings and the suits of woe," soon to pass away and be 
forgotten. I would, therefore, bring to you, and place in the 
permanent archives of our state, the more expressive and endur- 
ing tributes of his colleagues, who, serving with him in the 
Senate until the hour of his death, can speak from personal 
knowledge and intercourse, of his life and character. 

Senator Daniel. 

The increasing feebleness of body made each day more and 
more a burden, and yet in these days of heaviness and sore 
trial, the very highest, noblest, and bravest qualities of the true 
man showed themselves in him. He came day by day to his 
post of duty in the Senate. 

He was composed and calm, looking time and looking death 
in the face, watching, as it were, the last sands as they poured 
out of the down-turned glass of life ; like a trained soldier under 
fire, he showed no wincing. He proved in his conduct and in 
his bearing that the sense of duty remained constant and pre- 
dominant in him. If duty be the sublimest word in the lan- 
guage, surely duty realized and duty done even in the face of 
death is man's highest and most noble achievement. This is 
true greatness of soul, and this he displayed. 

Senator Warner. 

I knew him as a soldier and as a man. As a citizen, he was 
without reproach. As a soldier, he was without fear. 

Senator Dick. 

He was generous in his charities, but shunned notoriety. 
He felt the greatest pride in the esteem and love of his own 
people. He was loved at home by all classes but best loved by 
the poor of his own city. He was incapable of a dishonorable 
act. He was true to his friends and his country, always cool 

28 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



and brave and under the most trying circumstances, dignified, 
unassuming, approachable at all times, considerate to others. 
He was a man justly honored in state and nation, and his loss 
outside his family circle will nowhere be more deeply felt than 
in this body where for years he was an honored member. 

Senator Warren. 

For more than a year prior to his death, there moved among 
us, participating in our labors, shirking none of the arduous 
duties attached to membership in this body, one who carried 
with him knowingly his death warrant. With the quiet 
courage which marked his wliole life work, he uttered no 
complaint, he showed no anxiety, he asked for no sympathy. 
He had the hope of being permitted to finish the term of 
service to which he had been elected, and with this hope 
actuating him, he put his house in order, continued his daily 
tasks, and performed his duties quietly, gently, yet with 
courage, which, as we look back upon the year's work, we must 
pronounce sublime. The world has admitted the courage of 
the Spartan youth who bore unmoved the gnawing of the fox 
at his vitals; but what courage was that compared with the 
faithful performance of duties from day to day by our col- 
league, his fate facing him every moment. 

Senator Foraker. 

It was my good fortune to know him intimately for many 
years. He first attracted the attention of the American people 
as a dashing cavalry officer in the civil war, where, on account 
of his own merit and gallant service in the front he rose to 
high rank, succeeded to important commands, and won great 
distinction. He was a typical volunteer soldier of the Union 
army. But, great as are his claims upon us because of these 
distinguished services, I shall always think of him first because 
of his excellent qualities as a man. Amid the busy cares of 
his active life, he never forgot the claims upon him of others. 
He was one of the most considerate of men. I never knew one 
freer from envy, jealousy, malice, and every other kind of ill 
disposition toward others. He was always modest, generous, 

29 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



even tempered, and lovable. From whatever view may be 
taken of his life, character, and public services, there comes a 
real inspiration to emulate his example. 

Senator Spooner. 

Senator Alger afforded for all time by his character, 
indubitable evidence of the possession in full measure of many 
great and noble qualities. It was a long and toilsome journey 
from the village in Ohio where, as a youth, unaided by advant- 
ageous circumstances, he began his struggle, to the eminence 
upon which he died. No man without noble purposes, well- 
justified ambition, strong fibre, and splendid qualities in 
abundance could have carved out and left behind him such a 
career. His pathway was, from the beginning, upward, and 
all along it, at every stage of it, he discharged well every duty 
which manhood could demand ; and all along he scattered with 
generous hand deeds of kindness and helpfulness to those who 
were in need, sowing the seed which blossomed in fragrance 
along his pathway and made it beautiful. 

Mr. President, his career is ended ; his day's work is done. 
Michigan has made notable contributions to the public service 
of the United States in civil and military life; she has great 
treasure in the fame of her public men; but among all her 
treasure, she will cherish as a precious imperishable jewel the 
name and fame of Russell A. Alger. 

Nothing I may say can add to the fullness of these 
encomiums, and yet, there is a single phase of his character to 
which I desire especially to refer, and that was his exalted 
patriotism — his supreme love of country — that seemed to per- 
meate and dominate his whole life. Twice during his lifetime 
the Republic was involved in the dire calamity of war — once 
in defense of its own existence — once in defense of the life 
and liberty of another people. In both these conflicts General 
Alger bore a conspicuous part. 

The Civil War, involving as it did, the perpetuity of free 
government in the New World, was the most momentous 
conflict of the centuries. It was the culmination of the irre- 
pressible. It marshalled the mightiest armies of modern times. 
Greater than the Battle of the Nations at Leipsic, or the 

30 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



desperate struggle at Sedan or the historic field of Waterloo, 
or the late Russian and Japanese War. Into this conflict, he 
entered with all his soul, shutting the door of opportunity 
opened to him in civil life, staking all upon the hazard of war. 
In sixty-six battles and skirmishes, he exemplified his courage 
and patriotism, winning for himself repeated promotions, 
until finally, in 1865, he was advanced for gallant and merit- 
orious services during the war to the high rank of Brevet 
Major-General of Volunteers. It was on the perilous field of 
battle where he exhibited the highest attributes of patriotism 
and won for himself an enduring fame and for his state a just 
recognition of its devotion to the cause of liberty and country. 
Senator Doliver. 

Mr. President, the death of Senator Alger has removed 
from the Senate one of the most attractive and useful men 
connected with our public affairs. It has been one of the 
happy experiences of my service here that Senator Alger's 
desk was next to mine, and that I have had a daily opportunity 
to enjoy the advantage of intimate conversation and acquaint- 
ance with him. Long ago, I learned to admire his record both 
as a soldier and a statesman. I asked him one day after he had 
told me somewhat of his early struggles and spoken in modest 
words of the success in business and public life which had come 
to him, what part of it gave him the most satisfaction, what, 
among all the things he had tried to do, he thought of with the 
most pride. He said if he had to leave everything else out, he 
would prefer to keep the recollection of the years which he had 
spent in the old Union army defending the flag of his country. 
And more than once I have heard him say that the greatest 
office which he had ever held, the distinction among his fellow- 
men which he prized the most was commander-in-chief of the 
Grand Army of the Republic, that peaceful, unarmed host, 
which, in humble quarters scattered throughout the land, pre- 
serves the traditions of our heroic age. 

On the nth of April, 1898, President McKinley said, in 
his message to Congress : 

"The long trial has proved that the object for which Spain 
has waged the war cannot be attained. The only hope of relief 

31 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



and repose from a condition which can no longer be endured 
is the enforced pacification of Cuba. In the name of human- 
ity, in the name of civihzation, in behalf of endangered Amer- 
ican interests, which give us the right and duty to speak and 
act, the war in Cuba must stop. In view of these facts and 
of these considerations, I ask the Congress to authorize and 
empower the President to take measures to secure a full and 
final termination of hostilities between the government of Spain 
and the people of Cuba and to secure in the island the estab- 
lishment of a stable government capable of maintaining order 
and observing its international obligations, insuring peace and 
tranquility and security to its citizens, as well as our own, and 
to use the military and naval forces of the United States as 
may be necessary for these purposes. The issue is now with 
Congress. It is a solemn responsibility. I have exhausted 
every effort to relieve the intolerable condition of affairs 
which is at our doors, prepared to execute every obligation 
imposed upon me by the constitution and the law. I await 
your action." 

The promulgation of this message dispelled the last hope 
of a peaceful solution of the controversy, and war became the 
only alternative. 

It only remained for the Congress to take formal action to 
put the two governments at war, and on the 25th of April, 
1898, the following declaration was made: 

"Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Represent- 
atives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. 
First, that war be, and the same is hereby declared to exist 
between the United States of America and the Kingdom of 
Spain. Second, that the President of the United States be, 
and hereby is directed and empowered to use the entire land 
and naval forces of the United States, and to call into actual 
service of the United States the militia of the several states 
to such extent as may be necessary to carry this act into effect." 

In the march of these events, it fell to the lot of General 
Alger, by virtue of his position in the Cabinet of President 
McKinley, as Secretary of War, to bear a conspicuous part in 

32 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



this international conflict, whicli was to end Spanish domina- 
tion and misgovernment in the western world. 

General Alger says in his account of the Spanish-Amer- 
ican War: 

"Despite the total lack of preparation; despite the failure 
of the militia to meet expectations in the matter of equipment ; 
despite the natural inertia in the supply bureaus of the War 
Department, resulting from thirty-three years of peace ; despite 
the necessity of embarking an expedition to tropical islands 
of the Atlantic and Pacific, with no provisions at the outset 
for doing so; notwithstanding these great and new problems, 
the line and staff of the regular army and the eager volunteers 
accomplished what it is no vain boast to claim could not have 
been done by any other nation on the face of the earth, under 
the same circumstances. All honor for the completeness and 
celerity of our victory over the Kingdom of Spain belongs 
to the people of the United States, for the American soldier 
and the American sailor is but the American citizen in uni- 
form." 

A heavy burden of responsibility for the successful prose- 
cution of the war rested upon his shoulders. He met that 
responsibility with caution, but with courage, and when others 
wavered or doubted, he was steadfast and confident. 

The commander of the Spanish forces at Santiago pro- 
posed various terms of capitulation, which those in command 
of the American forces were inclined sometimes to accept. 
One of these propositions by the Spanish commander was 
that he would evacuate Santiago if he could be permitted to 
march to a safe place with his men and all their baggage, 
arms and munitions, without being attacked during the march. 
This proposition was submitted to the Secretary of War, and 
General Shafter promptly received the following instructions : 

"You will accept nothing but an unconditional surrender 
and should take extra precautions to prevent the enemy's 
escape. Your message recommending that Spanish troops 
be permitted to evacuate and proceed without molestation to 
Holguin, a place of safety, is a great surprise and is not 
approved. The Secretary of War orders, when you are strong 

33 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



enough to destroy the enemy and take Santiago, that you do 
it. If you have not force enough, it will be dispatched to you 
at the earliest moment practicable." 

General Alger remained Secretary of War until the con- 
flict with Spain was ended, peace declared, and victory assured. 
It must have been with unfeigned satisfaction that General 
Alger wrote the following in his history of the war : 

"On the morning of July 17, General Shafter, with his 
several division commanders and their full staffs, together 
with 100 men of the Second Cavalry, all mounted, advanced 
between the lines and received the formal surrender on the part 
of the Spanish Army of 100 armed men. The Spanish, as 
prisoners, then marched out, depositing their arms, and at 
noon our entire army lined up along the trenches and greeted 
with cheers the raising of the stars and stripes on the Gov- 
ernor's palace. When the old flag finally floated there, a salute 
of 21 guns was fired and our bands played 'The Star Spangled 
Banner.' The campaign in Cuba was at an end." 

Whatever criticism may be passed upon his administration 
of the War Department, it is a matter of pride that he bore 
so prominent a part in that great conflict which broke the 
sceptre of Spanish power in the western world, and ended the 
domination of kingly government on this hemisphere. 

And in closing, I cannot give a higher exhibition of the 
patriotism and the lofty spirit of General Alger than by 
quoting the closing paragraph to the preface to his "Spanish- 
American War," which ought to cover his critics with con- 
fusion and fill every patriotic heart with a just pride. He 
said : 

"Should war ever again come upon this country and find it 
so totally unprepared as it was in 1898, I hope that those who 
have been so profuse in their criticisms, and eager to discover 
faults, may have the patriotism and pride of country to rise 
above personalities, and, instead of striving to tear down, may 
endeavor to strengthen the hands of those upon whom the 
burden may fall and whose only hope of reward is that 
satisfaction which comes from the consciousness of having 



34 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



labored honestly and unremittingly to serve a government 
whose flag has never yet known defeat." 

And, so with this pathetic, but patriotic appeal, we take our 
final leave of Russell A. Alger, soldier, patriot, statesman, 
entrusting his name and fame, a priceless heritage, to the 
keeping of those who are to come after us. 



e^ 



35 



1 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



ADDRL55 OF HON. FRED M. WARNLR 

Mr. President: 

I deem it a high honor and a very great privilege to be 
permitted to participate in these exercises in honor of the 
memory of one of the most distinguished citizens of this state 
and nation. It is altogether fitting that the people of Michigan 
where he lived so long and which he loved so well, and 
especially those who represent the state in official capacity, 
should pause to recount his many virtues and bring again to 
the attention of the youth of our state the story of his simple, 
faithful, consistent and sucessful life. The lessons taught 
by such a life cannot be too often or too thoroughly impressed 
upon the minds of all our people, for in the emulation of the 
noble example of such men as Russell Alexander Alger 
lies the hope of our nation and the perpetuity of our free 
institutions. A few hours after the wires brought the unwel- 
come announcement of his death at the capitol of the nation 
on the morning of the 24th of January, the Chief Executive 
of this state in addressing the people of Michigan by general 
proclamation, spoke as follows : 

"Descending from New England ancestors, the life of 
Senator Alger shows a steady ascent to the honorable and 
important station in which death found him. He was suc- 
cessively farm laborer, school teacher, lawyer. Captain, Major, 
Lieutenant-Colonel, Brigadier-General, Governor, Commander- 
in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, Secretary of War 
and United States Senator from Michigan. 

"It falls to the lot of but few men to serve their state and 
nation in such exalted stations. In every capacity he rendered 
faithful, unselfish and valuable service. His duties and 
responsibilities, whether attached to private or public life, were 
discharged with integrity and ability and his country will 
accord him that meed of praise which is justly his due." 

37 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



Now that the lapse of days has given time for mature 
reflection, I would not change that estimate of the character 
and services of Senator Alger unless it were to speak with 
greater emphasis of his enviable record in commercial life and 
his courageous and effective service in developing and upbuild- 
ing the peninsular state. 

It is worthy of note that from the time, when a mere child 
of twelve years, he was left an orphan in the woods of Ohio 
to struggle for food and clothing not only for himself, but also 
for a younger brother and sister, to those last days which saw 
him gracing the council chambers of the nation, his every 
undertaking was characterized by indomitable will, untiring 
energy and unquestioned integrity. Whether working as a 
farm hand for a stipend of five dollars per month, out of 
which scanty earnings he contributed to the needs of the 
brother and sister who had been placed in families where there 
limited services were accepted in exchange for their board, 
or in the school room or law office, on the field of battle, or in 
the marts of trade, as chief executive of his state, a valued 
aid to the President during the stress of war, or in the Senate 
of the United States, those sterling qualities, which make for 
success in every undertaking, marked his every action. He 
was no creature of circumstances, nor were his successes acci- 
dental. He was made of that stuff which forces success what- 
ever one's environment or the circumstances and conditions 
surrounding his endeavor. His triumphs would have been as 
notable and complete had his lines been cast in none of those 
places which witnessed the activities of his busy life, but had 
been fatefully thrown in widely different directions. It is well 
for the young of our state and country, when contemplating 
the career of him whose memory we honor this evening, to 
gather therefrom the impressive lesson that only through faith- 
ful, untiring, honest effort can success be achiev^ed. It never 
comes to him who waits. Those of us who know of General 
Alger's life in Michigan, and especially you who saw him as 
he went in and out among his friends and neighbors in the 
city of his home, know how kindly and sympathetic was his 
nature and how willing he was to aid those less fortunate than 



38 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



he. In his home city, as nowhere else perhaps, his honored 
name, Hke that of Abou Ben Ahdam of the olden-time, easily 
lead all the rest, for no man more thoroughly and sincerely 
loved his fellowmen. How constant and unostentatious were 
the manifestations of this love and sympathy only He who 
notes all our actions here below may know. We who traveled 
with him more or less of his life's journey simply know that 
all along the path he trod, men, women and children, some in 
the so-called higher walks of life, but a far greater number in 
more humble stations, rise up this night to call him blessed 
because of his good deeds. When, in the later years of his life, 
a burden unparalleled in history was thrust upon him almost 
without warning, he took it up with the same fortitute, 
courage, and vigor which had characterized all his undertak- 
ings. How well he met this emergency, those in a position to 
know and appreciate the obstacles with which he was beset, 
freely testified at the time, and now^ that they have taken time 
to make a careful canvas of the situation even his most merci- 
less critics of the hour, frankly admit. It is always, you know, 
the person without knowledge of the situation or responsibility 
in the premises, who is the most savage critic and who knows 
just how any duty should be discharged by another. 

In this connection, permit me to refer to an incident in 
which a friend of mine figured late in the fall of 1902. This 
friend had occasion, as a member of a committee representing 
a national organization, to call on Mrs. William McKinley 
at her home in Canton. The journey from Cleveland to 
Canton and return was made in the private car of Senator 
M. A. Hanna, who had as his guest Secretary Root, who was 
also journeying to Canton to pay his respects to the widow of 
the martyred President. During that journey both the Senator 
and the then Secretary of War, at different times during the 
day sought an opportunity to say to the Michigan man to 
whom I refer that General Alger was perhaps the greatest 
Secretary of War this country ever had, that he accomplished 
marvelous results and that the day would come when the world 
would freely give him full credit for the great w^ork he 
wrought. This was the voluntary testimony of men who 

39 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



knew whereof they spoke. The day which they foresaw has 
already dawned, for all the people now concede the vastness 
of the achievements of Russell A. Alger as Secretary of 
War. 

On his return from Canton, the Michigan man called upon 
Senator Alger and related what the two statesmen had told 
him. Tears welled up in the eyes of the Senator as he simply 
said, "Thank you." There was no boasting, no exultation that 
might have been expected from one who had been so sorely 
maligned when he heard these words of commendation and 
praise. He was the same modest, unassuming man as of old, 
happy and content in the conviction that he had done his duty 
faithfully and well. 

And I count it as one of the noblest acts of the people of 
this great state that, with one accord, they gave to the world 
their estimate of the slanders that had been heaped upon this 
faithful public servant, by promptly returning him to the 
United States Senate. 

Speaking of Senator Alger's home life, one who knew 
him well recently said : 

"All of us have heard, and from many sources, of the 
beautiful home life of General Alger and of the happy lives 
that were lived by those nearest and dearest to him under his 
roof. To that fortress of the heart, the home, we turn always 
in our troubles, and to that we turn instinctively as we seek 
to know those who have gone forth into life's battle to bear 
life's burdens. The husband, the father, the friend had the 
capital of his life in his home. Thither bore he his trophies. 
Thither he returned when the weariness of the strife came on. 
There his friends ever found welcome, and there he was him- 
self in the finest phase of his nature." 

Many of you here tonight who were his neighbors for years 
know how truthful is every word of this touching tribute. 
The people of the city in which he lived so long well know 
that it was in his home and among his neighbors that opportun- 
ity was given to observe the manifestations of the finest and 
tenderest elements of his nature. After all, that is the true test 
of a man's character. What he is by his hearthstone, sur- 

40 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



rounded by those nearest and dearest to him, that he is and will 
be in all the experience of life. Tested in this crucible, 
Russell Alexander Alger was gentle, noble, manly and 
true. It has been well said that : 

"Michigan has made many notable contributions to the 
public service of the United States in civil and military life; 
she has great treasure in the fame of her public men; but 
among all of her treasures she will cherish as a precious, 
imperishable jewel the name and fame of Russell A. Alger." 



e^ 



41 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



ADDRL55 OF HON. DON M. DICKINSON 

Mr. President: 

In the time alloted to me, even were it needful, I should 
attempt — not so much as a biographical sketch, of the illus- 
trious American of whom we are to speak tonight. 

The public career of Russell A. Alger is indelibly set 
down in the history of the Republic. His countless good 
deeds are recorded in the hearts of his countrymen. 

Every assault upon his public acts in time of peace, and in 
time of war, has long ago — and happily — in his lifetime, 
been refuted by those (other than himself) who searched for, 
found and made known to all the world the records touching 
the period and subjects of the matter involved. 

Nay, not only were the charges refuted, but in every 
refutation itself it has been demonstrated that such charges, 
one and all, originated in, and were themselves, the shafts of 
envy, jealousy, hatred, malice, and all uncharitableness. 

And yet I set it down as a truth which never in his lifetime 
was, and now that he is dead, never can be challenged, that 
whatever offense was put upon him, that in whatsover he was 
belied by the pen or tongue of envy, malevolence, or malice, no 
spirit of vengeance, no vindictive hatred of any of his fellow- 
men ever found root or lodgment in his generous and gallant 
heart. To this exceptional characteristic of the man I call 
all who knew him well, and his own acts, as witnesses; and 
among many others, last but not least, I put upon the stand 
the "History of the Spanish-American War from March 5th, 
1897, to August I, 1899." Under the personal supervision, 
direction and plans of Secretary Alger as our side of that 
conflict was, as is now conceded, the annals of the earth's 
peoples, from the earliest period of recorded time until now, 
disclose no war between nations of equal or of any rank 
that was ever so speedily prepared for, or more ably and 

43 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



successfully directed from the seat of government, or so 
speedily ended, with more brilliant success and signal victory 
than the Spanish-American War, — fought 'round the world 
in one hundred and thirteen days, against the haughtiest of 
powers, and until then, one of the leading military nations of 
Europe. 

Remembering the bitter assaults upon his administration 
and upon him personally; remembering the enemies who 
snarled, snapped and dragged at his heels throughout the con- 
test — always assailing him in the back, and even then under 
cover — and then recalling the complete refutation of every 
charge, of every attack, of every shadow of reflection upon 
his character, of every slander upon the man, and then read 
his own account of the war from the preparation and from 
its beginning to its close, and find, if you can, a word of 
bitterness, of counter assault, nay, even of unkindness against 
any of the pack, which from the first to last sought and strove 
to cripple and drag him down; nay, unto the last, to utterly 
destroy the Nation's confidence. 

Bitter and pitiless and untrue as were the attacks upon 
him, and the charges against him, in the conduct of that war, 
yet from cover to cover of its History written by General 
Alger there can be found no recrimination against those who 
endeavored to bring him low and drive him from his position 
in disgrace; but on the contrary, wherever credit should be 
given by the impartial historian, full credit and full honor is 
there given for their creditable acts and creditable judgment, 
to the very men who were the direct or indirect authors of 
the unfounded attacks upon him. A man of the highest honor, 
and most scrupulous in the discharge of duty, those of us who 
knew him well, and loved him, know that he never recovered 
from the wounds made by the slanders of that period. But he 
held steadfastly to his duties through it all. This man who as 
Secretary of War on the declaration of hostilities April 25, 
1898, found his government unequipped in all branches of the 
service — cavalry, artillery and infantry, distributed over the 
entire country, with but 26,040 men of all arms; and these 
with no preparations for the field whatever ! 

44 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



Within one hundred days he placed in the field, including 
the number just mentioned, 275,000 men, armed them, 
equipped them, fed them, and fought the war until complete 
victory was everywhere in sight. It had been thirty-three 
years since the country had been engaged in war. His task 
within the time was a stupendous one, and his success in the 
conditions was one of the most remarkable in history. 

His friend. Senator Spooner, says of him : 

"At a period when the slanders of his character and of his 
"acts were at their worst, I called upon him one morning in the 
"War Department during the war with Spain, and as he 
"walked from the little gathering of people he staggered with 
"physical weakness. His face was as white as it was as he 
"lay in his coffin, but — his eyes were bright. I begged him to 
"go to his home, and he made this characteristic response, 'This 
"is my place!' I speak of it now to show that wonderful spirit 
"and characterisitic devotion to duty which was the law of 
"his life, to stand at the post to which duty had assigned 
"him; and there can never be anywhere or in any time a more 
"beautiful illustration of that spirit and sense of duty than 
"that which he exhibited in the later period of his life while 
"Senator of the United States." 

In several of the eulogies pronounced upon General 
Alger after his death it has been said, "He was born in the 
State of Ohio of humble parentage." Rather should it be 
said, coming as he did from good old Scotch and English 
stock, that he came of that proud and sturdy race of workers 
whom God gathered and appointed to found a new nation on 
American soil, — this great and invincible Republic. The men 
and women of the generation of Alger's father and mother 
were placed here because, as Emerson hath it : 



"God had said, — 
I am tired of Kings, 
I suffer them no more; 
Up to my ear the morning brings 
The outrage of the poor. 



45 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



Call the people together, 

The young men and the sires, 

The digger in the harvest field, 

The hireling and him that hires; 

I will have never a noble, — 

No lineage comited great ; 

Workers, and choppers, and woodmen, — 

Shall constitute a state." 

Russell A. Alger was a chivalric man in all his relations 
in life, in peace as well as in war. 

One of the last of the real knights of chivalry was Sir 
Philip Sydney; gentle, gracious, of Norman blood, but of 
kindly deeds as well. A man of rank, indeed, but withal, a 
man of gold. A knight of valor — terrible in battle; but who 
at night sought for, searched out, found and succored his 
enemy dying among the slain on the deserted battlefield of 
the day. A lover who was like the one at the siege of Acre, 
who kissed the first ray of sunlight in the morning as it 
glistened from the cross of his sword hilt, praying that it might 
perchance shine upon the fair head of his lady before sunset 
in far away England — and then turned to the stern battle of 
the day. A joyous man ; but always saddened by human sorrow, 
■ — a strong, a vigorous, a strenuous man, if you please, but as 
sweet and tender to a weeping child as a weak woman. 

It is the beginning of the Twentieth Century, and yet we 
have just laid to rest, in our midst, as knightly a man as Sir 
Philip Sydney; his heart was as tender, his gentle deeds as 
many. His thoughtfulness of the weak and the poor as 
constant, his purposes as high ; his bravery as intrepid and 
superb. He, too, carried in his knightly crest the token of his 
lady. That Lady was the genius of the man. His helpmeet 
above all ; with him, — 

"One word could charm all wrongs away — 
The sacred name of Wife." 

As Byron hath it : "To no men are such courtly greetings 
given as those whose wives have made them fit for heaven." 
Truly, this man whom we have loved and appreciated in 

46 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



life was this, our own Sir Philip Sydney, gentle, tender, and 
true — a true knight, "without fear and without reproach." 

Do you know what Alger in his heart thought was one of 
our chief gains in the Spanish-American war ? It was not in 
the conquest of territory, or the capture of men, ships and 
military stores, but in the union of the soldiers of the North 
and the South in the cause of one common country, and in one 
union of hearts against a foreign foe. He speaks in his book, 
in reference to the call of volunteers, of the overwhelming 
tenders of service from the "Veterans of Grant and of Lee," 
and says: "Federals and Confederates alike were especially 
insistent, and their applications were as universal as they were 
enthusiastic. The question was not what states would be 
called upon for troops, but how many of the thousands of men 
applying could be accepted." One great result was a living 
union of hearts of all our fellow countrymen, North and South, 
under the flag — a union which was cemented by our common 
blood. But in this war, too, the first foreign war in which we 
had engaged since the Republic had become a strong nation, 
we gained the wholesome respect of all the nations of the 
earth. We gained for the individual citizen, and for his 
interests everywhere, that needed protection from all nations, 
through acquaintance with our flag, knowledge of the power 
behind it, and of the certain menace of its appearance wherever, 
on land or on sea, an American should be oppressed, or his 
fair rights infringed. When before in our history, and before 
this conclusive evidence of our preparedness and resources for 
immediate conflict, and of our mighty strength on land and 
ocean, would the suggestion of our mediation between first- 
class powers of the old world have been tolerated. 

Nay, because of the demonstration of that commanding 
strength in the eyes of all the Earth we now stand, in the 
opening decade of the new century, with our vision extend- 
ing over and beyond the place where the sun sets in the great 
highway of Pacific commerce; we see the golden gate swing 
open to the trade of the world; we can see the sheen of the 
Southern Cross far and away to the south of the Gulf and of 
Cuba and Porto Rico, and to the north our far sight now 

47 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



takes in the prophecy in the skies, in that great banner, when it 
is first shaken out, floating to the zenith, flecked with blue, 
spangled with white stars, and streaked with streamers of red ! 
Its prophecy is of another hundred years of ever increas- 
ing advancement. As the sun of the new century rises 
higher and higher, we see by its rays the same highway spread 
before us for another stage, another century of safe and 
wholesome growth, healthful, expansive and splendid progress. 
That highway has a name, and that name is — "Manifest 
Destiny!" 

Whenever the history of this mighty change in our position 
in the family of nations is written in the years and centuries 
to come, on that historic scroll must appear the name of the 
farmer lad of Ohio; he whom his worthy successor in the 
Senate of the United States has, before that august body, 
proudly described as "Laborer, lawyer, soldier, and states- 
m.an!" 

In all the public speeches and public writings touching 
his career since General Alger's death the two leading facts 
most often referred to have been his early poverty, and his 
ultimate riches. To those with whom he spoke most freely 
of his life, the mere fact of his early poverty was not of itself 
the reason for his indomitable industry or, standing by itself, 
not the motive which led to his achievement of material 
wealth. His sincere belief was that the foundation of this 
Republic was divine in its origin and purpose, and that God 
intended that in America every man should have an equal 
chance, if he but chose to avail himself of it, and he saw 
clearly and appreciated fully that one had but to avail himself 
of the opportunities so divinely ordered to achieve success. 

From the earliest period he sincerely believed that to 
attain success a man must live cleanly, deal honorably, and use 
the results of his industry, never for oppression, but always, 
as far as possible, having done justice to those having claims 
upon him, the surplus should be devoted to the betterment 
of those about him, and never under any circumstances to 
the detriment of any of God's less fortunate, within his 
reach. 

48 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



A Senator from Iowa who was his friend said of him on 
the Senate floor after his death : 

"I do not know how great General Alger's financial for- 
"tune actually was. . . . But whatever it was, there 
"was no stain of dishonor upon it. It represented the capacity, 
"the patient industry, and the genius for affairs which has 
"never been without honor in the world of business. It would 
"be hard to find a better test of the real character of the man 
"than to observe how little his wealth affected his manners; 
"how slight its impression upon his daily walk and conversa- 
"tion; in short, how much greater the man was than his 
"possessions. ... A rich man with his heart full of love 
"to humanity is God's best gift to modern society.'' 

I have been at some pains to learn more than I knew of the 
early life of the man whom we commemorate here tonight, 
and the testimony I cite is that of Judge J. A. Kohler, a lead- 
ing lawyer of the State of Ohio, now living at Akron. He 
knew our friend's parents and relatives; and he testifies to 
the very many friends he acquired, not only in the neighboring 
County of Medina, where he was born, but also in and about 
the City of Akron, in Summit County. I have learned from 
Judge Kohler that General Alger obtained a thoroughly 
good education in what was called a high school, of the town 
of Richfield — a school, as the Judge tells me, "modeled after 
the New England Academy." So well qualified was he by 
education that when, in 1855 or '56, he entered the law office 
of Wolcott & Upton, at Akron, as a law student, he was 
sought for and engaged to teach a district school in that 
vicinity, and thereby helped to pay his way while preparing 
for admission to the bar, which occurred in 1859, when he w^as 
admitted to practice in the same class and at the same time 
with my informant. Judge Kohler. After his admission young 
Alger removed to Cleveland — a fact, I believe, not before 
publicly mentioned. He achieved such a measure of success 
that thereafter he was enabled, while supporting other mem- 
bers of his family, to remove to Grand Rapids, and there, his 
success continuing, he w^as enabled to marry that devoted wife, 
who was ever after his refuge, his comforter, and his solace, in 

49 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



all the troubles of his busy and eventful life, and in whose 
presence he found that rest and peace throughout his strenu- 
ous career which nature demanded. 

His chief recreations were with her and his family. He 
was sought for as a member of and joined the social clubs of 
his fellows wherever he lived, and supported them generously, 
but his presence in their rooms, except upon quasi-public 
occasions, was rare. I remember that on one occasion when, as 
it chanced, I was President of the Detroit Club, then the 
leading social club of that city, the General came to me and 
said: 

"I want you to do something for me ; I am a member of the 
"Detroit Club, but somehow I don't give it that support which 
"I feel is due from me, because I consider it a necessity for 
"Detroit, and a good thing, in every way, for our young men, 
"'as well as for all men; but you know well enough I cannot 
"keep away from my wife and family when I am free from 
"work; I get my rest there. Now, I want you to get your 
"Board to assess me besides my regular dues for as much at 
"least as the average member pays in for the support of the 
"institution." My answer was, "I promise to mention the 
matter to the Board, and I think you will get your answer. 
General." I kept my word, and was instructed by the Board 
to answer him that he was giving every day a support to the 
Club which more than satisfied everyone. Later, Russell A. 
Alger was unanimously elected to the presidency of the Club. 
And throughout his busy life he continued to find rest by the 
side of his helpmeet, and so, at the last, death found him there, 
at peace, radiant and ready. Surely in that presence, ever, as 
wrote the sweetest of poets, — 

His "nights were filled with music, 
"And the cares that infest the day, 
"Folded their tents like the Arabs, 
"And as silently stole away." 

Judge Kohler goes on to tell me of those early days thus : 

"It is needless to say that General Alger was always held 

"by the people of this county respected and admired for his 

50 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



"noble qualities of heart and mind. He was a courageous and 
"true man in every sense of the word, and generous to a fault. 
"I remember, too, and especially well, that Alger in those 
"years was especially fond of music." 

Senator DoUiver of Iowa has referred to General 
Alger's spotless honor and strict integrity during his long and 
brilliantly successful business career. It should be said that 
though he attained great wealth, no penny of it, no dollar of it, 
was touched or stained by any dishonorable act or deed. 
Neither before nor after his becoming a wealthy man would 
he receive or permit any of the numberless enterprises in which 
he was interested to receive a dollar beyond the original cost 
of the raw material, of its treatment by his mills and factories, 
and the cost of transportation and a fair profit upon his 
purchases, and upon the always liberal amounts in salaries and 
wages paid out to the thousands of men engaged upon his 
many ventures. Not from the beginning to the end of his 
business activities did he enter a combination, or a trust that 
paid him more than this. Never in his whole career, and with 
all his wealth, was he engaged, nor did he permit his partners 
or associates to engage, in any scheme of legislation which 
might give him more than this. Although a shrewd bargainer, 
a close buyer, and a seller in the highest market he could find, 
it cannot be said of him by any man, be he living or dead, that 
he ever took undue advantage of any one. 

I have said that he never harbored a spirit of revenge. 
Nay, he never took the punishment of one who had dealt un- 
fairly with him into his own hands, but preferred to leave 
such a man to the reproach of his own conscience, and, to my 
knowledge, did in certain cases turn men, by whose wrongful 
acts he had suffered, to the true practice of that tried and true 
proverb, "Honesty is the best policy." 

Everyone within the sound of my voice doubtless knows 
that Alger was a large buyer of timber acreage, not only in 
Michigan, but in other states of the northwest, in Canada, and 
very largely in the Southern and Pacific States. He was the 
first, or at least one of the first men to build hundreds of miles 
of railroad for the purpose of reaching his pine, where there 

51 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



were no streams to float the logs to deep water. In the 
instance to which I refer, he had purchased hundreds of 
thousands of acres, and supposed that he had secured nearly 
as much more from an owner of a tract of pine land adjacent 
to this first purchase. He built mills according to the number 
and capacity needed for the prompt cutting of the pine, for 
logging roads, and other needs, all of a capacity greater than 
was ever before known. He had completed seventy-five miles 
of perfect railroad for logging this pine to his mills, besides 
particular and other equipment for transportation to market, 
of the greatest capacity then known, and had engaged, as usual, 
an army of men for cutting and hauling in the woods, and 
working elsewhere. All this had been done before Alger had 
closed his deal for the pine land neighboring his own, of which 
I have spoken, altho nothing remained to be done as to the 
bargain, except the passing of the deeds from the owner to 
Alger, and payment of the purchase price. He had as much 
confidence in the word of the owner as if the deed had been 
made over and the money paid. But singular to relate, 
altho engaged in many such immense business transactions 
he trusted men like this, and told me afterward that never 
since the transaction I refer to or before it, had he been 
betrayed. But a certain firm of large capital and credit having 
learned that no title had actually passed, tempting the owner 
by the ofTer of a somewhat higher price, succeeded in getting 
the latter to break his word to Alger and sell to them by a 
contract providing a payment down with their notes for the 
balance. The buyer and the seller were within their legal 
rights, of course, and Alger for the time, lost that purchase. 
Soon after the transaction had been closed and the purchasing 
firm had entered upon the winter cutting of the timber, which 
General Alger had included in his own estimates for provid- 
ing the purchase price, for the building of the railroad to 
reach it, and the building of the mills and the other equipment 
of capacities before stated for handling this and his other pine, 
there commenced a period, lasting two or three seasons, when 
pine and long and short timber became depressed and dull. 
The time of the occurrence was between 1890 and 1895. The 

52 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



entire market for a variety of reasons which it would take too 
long to detail, but which many here will remember, became 
panicky, and finally without bottom. Men with outstanding 
notes for purchases went to the wall in many cases. In other 
cases banks refused to renew, and many mill owners and timber 
owners were on what is called the ragged edge. Of this 
number, as it turned out, was the firm who had driven the 
sharp bargain and cut Alger out of his purchase. Their notes 
were renewed once or twice, and then the original bank hold- 
ing this paper declined to renew more than a quarter. Dis- 
counts were sought in other banks, and these failing to accept 
paper, the makers paying large discounts to brokers, and put- 
ting up mortgages and other additional securities as collateral, 
got the last discount possible at home or at the east, with but 
sixty days within which to turn. Other debts pressed upon 
the makers of this paper, and whichever way they turned 
failure seemed to stare them in the face. They offered the pine 
lands of which I have spoken as taken from General Alger 
to investors at cost price, and finally at far less than cost price, 
without takers. They finally offered the timber cut at the last 
winter's cutting at 50% of the cost price and found no takers. 
General Alger learned of their condition through agency 
reports and by special information derived from banks and 
bankers and finally through one or two attorneys. To make 
a long story shorter, the owners, through a third party, ap- 
proached General Alger, stating to him that for a certain 
consideration he could buy the lands at the price which Alger 
had originally offered for them. This was declined at the 
time, and within that fatal sixty days the same lands were 
offered first, at 80% of the original cost, and later at 75% 
of that cost, and still later at 60%. The time arrived when 
the sixty days had but twenty to run. then but ten. The offer 
of these lands and of others more valuable belonging to the 
same parties were pressed upon the market at cheaper and 
cheaper prices. Five days later, when the sixty days had but 
five more days to run. or eight days with the grace, a man 
w^hom we w^ill call A. entered the office of the firm in a western 
city, and offered them 100% for the lands, the price at which 

53 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



they had purchased them. They accepted, but stated that there 
had been a cutting of timber from the lands which, at the cost 
price of the timber, added to the cost of the cutting and winter 
camps, would amount to the sum of between fifty and seventy 
thousand dollars. This they said frankly had been offered at 
50% of the value of the timber. Mr. A. responded that he 
would bring over the deeds and would like to have the wives 
of the members of the firm present to execute them promptly 
within two days, naming the time. On the day and hour set 
the partners and their wives were in the office and there found 
A. with deeds prepared for the lands, and also with a bill of 
sale made out in due form covering the timber cut by the 
firm with a guaranty of the number of feet and its proper 
description, lying in the woods ready for hauling. On pre- 
senting the deeds for the signatures of the partners and their 
wives, they read them, compared them with their own descrip- 
tions, found them correct as to the descriptions, and then, and 
not till then, was their attention called to the name of the 
grantee, and they read there with an expression of amaze- 
ment and of some trepidation the name of Russell A. Alger. 
This was deepened when they, passing them from one to 
another, found the consideration in the deeds aggregated the 
full amount they originally paid for the land, less the amount 
of timber cut, and the bill of sale was of all the timber cut, 
describing it, and the consideration there named was the full 
100% for the price of the timber, including the cost of cut- 
ting; the name of the vendee in that bill of sale was also found 
to be Russell A. Alger. The deeds were signed by the 
gentlemen and their wives, the bill of sale was signed by the 
firm, A. handed over cheques for the total amounts, signed by 
Alger, Smith & Company, pocketed the deeds and the bill of 
sale. It was payment in full. Within thirty minutes three 
gentlemen called on General Alger at his hotel. Mr. A. was 
present. The callers were the three members of the selling firm. 
The General said, "Hello, boys, what can I do for you?" No 
one of the partners was able to speak, when the General said, 
"Why, gentlemen, don't you remember when you met me after 
your purchase from (the original owner who had 

54 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



broken faith with General Alger), that I told you I would 
get even with you?" The answer was, ''General Alger, we 
deserve bad instead of good treatment, but you do not know 
what you have done for us. But for this Godsend at your 
hands, we should have been bankrupt, and everything we 
owned on earth woud have gone from us." "Well," said the 
General, "that is better than I supposed it was. I have got 
more than even with you !" Then he shook hands with them 
all, wished them Godspeed and good luck, saying: "Well, I 
will make a handsome profit on this deal with you, and I 
wouldn't take more than that, especially as it is going to keep 
you out of a hole. If you need any help, don't sacrifice your 
holdings before coming to me." This is a true story, and 
throughout the General's business life he helped men as he did 
in this case, and he helped all men in every rank, in hard luck, 
whenever he could — and the story of such generous acts 
throughout his life were never told by him. 

The brilliant career of General Alger in the war between 
the states is one known almost by heart to the student of 
American history. There are a few incidents — and every inci- 
dent adds to the splendid record — which are not so familiar 
■ — all adding lustre to the story of his courage, his gallantry, 
his knighthood, and his grand patriotism. To no one is that 
career better known than to the gallant men who fought side 
by side, or front to front, in that great conflict. The proof of 
this, so far as the North is concerned, is the action of that 
splendid body of veterans, who, when a malicious attempt was 
made to smirch his glorious record, responded as one man by 
electing him by unanimous vote to the highest position within 
their gift — that of Commander of the Grand Army of the 
Republic; and from the South, we have the eulogiums pro- 
nounced after his death by great soldiers of the South in both 
Houses of Congress. But some incidents have not been 
printed, and one of these should be written in letters of gold. 
I first heard of it from a member of the staff of another 
Michigan man whose name shed glory upon Michigan, and 
whose deeds shed honor upon the arms of the United States 
which was reflected throughout the world. I refer to Mich- 

55 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



igan's Paladin, that great cavalry chief, General George A. 
Custer, a name directly connected with the incident I am about 
to relate. Alger had been with Custer in the terrible battle of 
Gettysburg, and for his brave deeds there, his unflinching 
courage, and his influence upon the battle in defense of our 
flag, the history and the just mead of praise are found set out 
in his report by Custer, of that battle. The same report so 
effectively and brilliantly presented on the floor of the House in 
the eulogy pronounced upon General Russell A. Alger by 
own own congressman — of the first-class already, in his short 
term of service — Hon. Edwin Denby. Afterwards, Alger was 
with Sheridan in the furious fights in the Shenandoah valley. 
Pending a pause in the great advance of Grant, Alger was 
smitten with fever, and was advised, nay, ordered by his com- 
mander, to proceed at once to the nearest hospital, so that he 
might recover and be ready when the great conflict should be 
on again. This stroke of illness is also referred to by Mr. 
Denby in the same speech to which I have referred. I was 
told of these facts, too, by the member of Custer's staff whom 
I have mentioned, but I was also told by him that during 
Alger's confinement in hospital, the news came to him that his 
own brigade of cavalry, together with Gregg's brigade, had 
been cut off from the main body by a far superior force of the 
enemy, the latter embracing General J. E. B. Stewart's cavalry, 
three batteries, and a superior force of infantry supporting the 
artillery. The condition had been brought about by the ad- 
vance of Sheridan with his entire cavalry corps to open the 
Wilderness campaign, and that corps had started on a raid 
toward Richmond in the rear of Lee's army. The movement 
was well advanced before Lee discovered it, so that the forces 
mentioned had succeeded in capturing Beaver Dam station on 
the Virgina Central Railroad, where our forces, by a rapid 
movement, recaptured a trainload of prisoners on their way to 
Richmond, who had been taken in the Wilderness campaign. 
Moreover, we destroyed a vast amount of commissary and 
other stores, engines, cars, tracks, stations, etc. At this point 
our rear was harassed by Fitz Lee's command, until at Ashland 
our cavalry forces, which had been detached from the main 



56 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



body in the pursuit, were confronted by Lomax's brigade, 
whom our forces pressed toward Yellow Tavern. Our forces 
made there a determined stand. These details thus far have 
refreshed my memory as to the account by the member of 
Custer's staff, before referred to, and they have been given me 
by Honorable John C. Fay, one of the best lawyers of high 
standing in the City of Washington, who at that time though 
but 1 6 years of age, was in the Union army, and an eye-witness 
of all the movements here related. The Michigan brigade was 
in the woods and nearest to where the Confederate batteries 
had been planted, and to the west of that command. Fay was 
in Davies' brigade of Gregg's division. "The Michigan 
cavalry brigade," says Fay, "was in the woods, and nearest 
"to where the batteries had been planted." He proceeds: 
"We were engaged with a part of Fitz Lee's command in our 
"rear, with Lomax and J. E. B. Stewart in our front, with the 
"Michigan boys to the west. My regiment was not then en- 
"gaged, but I could hear firing in front, rear, to the left 
"and to the right, over beyond where the Michigan boys 
"were. The situation seemed to me very uncomfortable, 
"for the firing clearly indicated that at this time we were com- 
"pletely surrounded." Mr. Fay goes on to say, notwithstanding 
this position, no one seemed concerned about it. as everyone 
said, " 'Gregg will never get us in a place he cannot get us out 
of.' " While in this position, and quite surrounded, the records 
disclose that the batteries of the enemy returned to close quar- 
ters, and opened a furious shelling of the woods where the 
Michigan boys were resting. Then a Confederate line ad- 
vanced from the Tavern and took a position to the left of the 
battery back of a fence and up to a bridge and cut. This 
proved to be the Fifth Virginia Cavalry. The fighting, as will 
be observed, had lasted some days in the vicinity, and as related 
to me by another than j\Ir. Fay, Alger heard in his hospital 
that his brigade was cut off and was in danger, and in the 
midst of furious fighting. Without waiting to obtain his 
formal discharge or leave from the hospital, weakened by 
disease and his confinement to bed, he immediately arose, 
went to the adjacent stable where his horse was, saddled 

57 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



it and bridled it, mounted and started for the front with 
all the speed that he could get out of his fine horse. 
Judge Fay describes his first sight of Alger on the occasion : 
The batteries had opened a furious shelling of the Michigan 
troops. "Here," he says, "the Michigan brigade came out of 
"the woods, formed in order, under the direct and close fire of 
"the batteries, and with Colonel Alger with the Fifth Mich- 
"igan in advance, — he personally leading the charge on the 
"batteries, up the hill, quickly drove the enemy before him and 
"captured most of the artillery. Some of the guns limbered 
"up and got away, but the bulk of the Fifth Virginia were 
"captured, and with Alger still leading his men, the enemy 
"were driven up the hill to the Yellow Tavern, and on beyond 
"it. In this charge of the Michigan brigade, led by Alger, 
"General J. E. B. Stewart was mortally wounded." And so 
passed away one of the most brilliant and successful of the 
Confederate generals, and one of their best leaders in close 

fighting "I shall never forget," says Fay, "the 

"conspicuous gallantry of General Alger, who led that 
"charge that opened the way out. No man of the Michigan 
"Cavalry Brigade was made prisoner, notwithstanding it had 
"been surrounded together with other large bodies of our 
"troops until the moment when Alger appeared." 

I desire here and now to acknowledge with very deep 
gratitude this testimony of my friend, John C. Fay of Wash- 
ington, the only eye-witness I have met of that superb delivery 
of our imprisoned troops and the calm and gallant bearing of 
Alger, who formed his brigade for the charge and calmed 
them by his unexpected appearance, and his undaunted manner, 
so that in the face of batteries, the formation that he attained 
successfully was made by the General with no more nervous- 
ness or tremor on the part of soldier or general than as if the 
movement was one on dress parade. 

One incident more Fay does not mention, and which I have 
been told by another who saw the charge : that is, that after 
forming his brigade for the charge in the face of the fire of 
artillery, Alger, when giving the final order to charge, threw 
his hat in the air, and shouted to his men, "Come on, boys, 



58 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



^:: 



there will be no prisoners of this brigade taken this day by the J 

enemy in front;" and they went at the enemy with the uncon- h 

querable spirit that actuated and filled the frail body of Alger .4 

with energy to win, instead of with the fever to hold him back. , '['j 

Mr. Fay sums up his own feelings with these words: ■ :'*^': 

"I was an enthusiastic boy, but the impressions then formed • "■ # 

"have stayed with me always, and have through life made me y^^ 

"look upon General Russell A. Alger as a hero, although 
"I never was a follower of his in his civil career, — on the 
"contrary, was opposed to his ambitions ; but when I have 
"heard personal attacks were made upon him, I said to our 
"mutual friend — of what I personally saw of his gallantry 
"and valuable services to his country, and for that, if for no 
"other reason, I believe the stories that were being put in cir- 
"culation against him were false and malicious." 

Let it be stated here that the story that was circulated ^ 

against General Alger in connection with his informal action "' -. • 

in detaching himself without leave, and without orders, from .\-., , 

that hospital, was based upon a formal certificate, sent to , v* 

Washington according to the rules of war by General George >"'' 

A. Custer, commanding that, "Colonel R. A. Alger had left * V' -^^ 

hospital without leave, and had not reported to headquarters." 
Yet, after the fight I have described, Alger was in all the bat- 
tles thereafter so furiously fought by Sheridan during the 
grand climax of the war, which soon closed at Appommatox. 
Why, it was General Custer and General Phil. Sheridan, who, 
afterward, over their own signatures, strongly recommended, 
nay, almost with the expressions of command, and urged the 
promotion of General Alger, first, to be brigadier general, 
and secondly to be a major general to date from these battles 
in which he engaged, preceding but a few months the glorious 
end of the war under the apple tree at Appommatox. 

It was one of the most striking features of General 
Alger's busy life, and one of the most unselfish and winning 
in his character that he was never happier than when he had 
the opportunity to turn aside and do something in aid of a 
friend, — and if it were difficult of accomplishment, the better 
was he pleased. I owe the incident which I am about to relate, 

59 



•■>:?; 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



as well as much other information of General Alger's life 
in Washington, to Mr. Frank H. Hosford, now a special press 
correspondent at the capital, and sometime one of the most suc- 
cessful and popular presidents of the famous Gridiron Club. 
It is this : Promising that the Soldiers' Cemetery at Arlington 
is by the law of its creation held to be the last resting place 
exclusively for those who have worn in service the uniform 
of the army or navy, I add, the exceptions are very rare, and 
never permitted, save by order of the Secretary of War, after 
a showing of strong reasons and good cause to support the 
appeal to him, or to the commander-in-chief of the military 
and naval forces of the United States. It was but a few days 
before Senator Alger's death. In these few days of his life, 
Charles Conger had pleaded with his cousin, Frank B. Conger, 
son of the late Senator Conger of Michigan, that he might be 
laid in the sacred ground beside the remains of his father, 
Major Conger, who had gallantly earned the right of burial 
there. Mr. Conger asked help from Senator Alger, he hav- 
ing been Secretary of War, and of great influence at the War 
office under the present administration. Like himself to the 
last, he promised immediate aid, and thereupon took the longest 
walk in weeks before his death to visit the War office and 
plead the cause of his friend. He was weary and faint from 
the exertion, but he did not leave the office of Secretary Taft 
until the permit had been signed for placing the remains of 
Charles Conger beside those of his father. On leaving the 
office Frank Conger expressed his gratitude to Senator 
Alger for what he had done. The General replied : "I could 
"not care much for a man who would not cheerfully make an 
"effort, like this, to do a favor to, or to assist a friend when 
"such an opportunity is afforded me. Outside the interest I 
"have in my family, there is nothing that I could do for the 
"remainder of my life that would afford me more satisfaction 
"than to help or favor another, and if my action is appreciated, 
"why, I am more than satisfied and made happy by the service 
"rendered." 

Some time ago, as you will all remember, war between the 
United States and Japan was widely spoken of, and much 

60 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



mooted in the press of the world. About that time I met 
General Alger in the lobby of the Union Trust Building 
in Detroit wherein we both had offices. He, as usual, had a 
few pleasant words for me, and in the talk I said: "I see. 
General, that we are to have another war; you will go, of 
course." "Yes," he said, "if I am needed." The next morning 
I received from him, in the mail, a newspaper clipping of 
Robert J. Burdette's poem entitled, "Young No Longer," with 
these four verses marked : 

" 'Halt !' cry the bugles down the column's length ; 

And nothing loth to halt and rest am I, 
For summer's heat hath somewhat taxed my strength, 

And long the dusty ways before me lie. 
Our standards gay, war's bright heraldic page, 

Our uniforms with gold and silver dressed, 
Are rent and torn, in battle's furious rage, 

Blood-stained, and grey with dust, each glittering crest. 
'Forward !' the bugles call, ready am I, 

For though my step hath lost its springing gait, 
I am more prompt to march, quick to obey ! 

Less apt to question, or to hesitate. 
Yet, when a belted trooper gallops by, 

I lift my eyes, warned by the swift hoof's tramp, 
And hail him with the infantryman's cry, 

'Ho ! comrade, tell me, how far it is to camp.' " 

I evoke before your minds tonight a familiar figure, a man 
of achievement. 

He may come of a stalwart and mighty lineage, but he does 
not vaunt it. 

He is a Democrat, in the broad sense, believes in his country 
and her future, is proud of her progress, and feels a respon- 
sibility as a unit of the sovereign people, with a public duty to 
perform as such. 

He is a man of wide experience, a thinker, and a man of 
honor. 

His reflective mind makes constant use of its means of 
knowledge, they are not permitted to mold or to rust. He has 

6i 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



come to be a man of the world, and a student of mankind. His 
charity for the foibles and sins of humanity is broad, and his 
judgments gentle. Never arrogant, censorious or intolerant 
in discussion, he wins an opponent by respecting his opinions, 
while differing from him, and sends him away, in a spirit of 
reflection, rather than of controversy. 

He never "mistakes rudeness for courage or violence for 
strength." He clothes his ideas in garments of simple but apt 
expression, felicitous and always Anglo-Saxon. There is no 
strut or anything of vanity about him ; his diction is pure like 
his heart, and is never marred by profanity or slang. 

He is deferential to all women. 

An unconscious dignity freezes impertinence, and closes the 
mouth of vulgarity, while his gentle manners and winning 
countenance give confidence to the embarrassed, and loosen 
the tongue of the modest and the timid. He cares nothing for 
mere cant in his intercourse with manly men — with true Amer- 
ican manhood — and you feel at once as he grasps your hand, 
and greets you, that with him — 

"The rank is but the guinea's stamp, 
The man's the gold for a' that." 

To enter his home, partake of his hospitality in the place 
where he lived, is a privilege and delight. At the head of his 
table his gentle grace "The mind, the music breathing from his 
face," warm and move the heart of every guest, who thus 
influenced, unconsciously becomes, not simply an observer and 
a hearer, but a contributor to the common enjoyment of all. 
This man by healthful exercises keeps his body sound, as the 
repository of his sound mind. His physique is athletic and 
vigorous. A statesman, a gentleman of the American type, 
the figure is not simply an ideal one, and I personify the type, 
with which my description may but poorly impress your minds 
when I name, Russell A. Alger. 

One of the warmest and most sincere admirers of, and 
mourners for. General Alger is Judge Donovan, for many 
years Judge of the Wayne Circuit Court. He has the keenest 

62 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



taste for classical literature, and his research and learning in 
that regard have been exceptional and of wide range. I have 
been favored by him with his own translation of the Greek 
theory in respect of the death of a famous Greek who had 
attained the age of three score and ten ; and in giving expres- 
sion to his deep feeling on the death of General Alger, he 
uses that translation thus : 

"We are glad, that he has lived 

"With us thus long, 
"And glad, that he has so earned 

"His rich reward; 
"Nor deem that kindly nature 

"Did him wrong, 
"Softly to disengage the vital cord. 

"For when his strong arm grew 
"Weakened, and his eye 

"Was dimmed with the frost of years — 
"It was his time to die." 



e^ 



63 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



ADDRL55 OF GLN. HLNRY M. DUFFILLD 

Mr. Chairman: 

The prayer is said ; the dirge is sung. Taps have sounded ; 
the last volley fired over the hero's grave. From the head 
waters of Superior to the beautiful river on the banks of which 
he chose his home, the people of Michigan who loved him so 
well, and whom he loved so well, joined in grief with the people 
of his home city as they watched and followed his funeral 
cortege. 

The President of the United States and The Congress in 
both houses have spoken his praises. The great company of 
the Grand Army of the Republic — ^than which no other is 
founded on more patriotic, benevolent or holier principles. 
Friendship, Charity and Loyalty — have proudly mourned their 
beloved Past Commander-in-Chief; the pulpit and the press 
and all patriotic citizens throughout the land have blended 
sorrow and admiration. 

And now the State of his adoption, with all its honored 
magistrates upon the summons of the Legislative Represent- 
atives of the people, lamenting a son so beloved, a servant so 
faithful, a friend so true, comes last of all in the Legislative 
Halls of the Capitol to say farewell and to deliver the character 
and career of Russell A. Alger to history and the judgment 
of mankind. 

We know how fully, how eloquently, how tenderly the 
story of his life has been told by his colleagues in the National 
Capitol, and in the city he chose for his home, by the Chief 
Executive of our State, his close friends and his pastor in the 
church in which he had worshipped God for more than a 
generation. Intimate as it has been my privilege to be with 
him, and sincerely as I loved him, I might well hesitate to stand 
here even with the honor of your invitation, did I not feel that 
inspired by your sympathy my words telling the same story, 

65 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



however feebly, will seem to your generous hearts to prolong 
for a few moments the eulogies you would not willingly have 
cease. 

In the first years of his manhood he quickly responded to 
the call of President Lincoln for defenders of the Union and 
went to the front as Captain in the Second Michigan Cavalry. 

His first service was under that greatest of cavalry leaders, 
General Sheridan, to whom Captain Alger brought the mes- 
sage from Governor Blair, appointing him Colonel of the Sec- 
ond Michigan Cavalry. He was chosen by Sheridan to lead 
the desperate charge at the Battle of Booneville, which snatched 
victory from disaster. A brief account of it epitomizes his 
career as a soldier. 

Sheridan, with an effective force of only 873 men, com- 
posed of the Second Michigan, Capt. Campbell commanding, 
and the Second Iowa Cavalry, had stubbornly resisted General 
Chalmer's attack with a force of about 5,000 men, until it 
became evident that his left flank would be turned. His situ- 
ation was most critical. Something desperate must be done, 
and Alger did it. 

A circuitous road ran through a heavily timbered woods 
rejoining the Blackland road at the northern edge of the woods. 
Sheridan directed Captain Alger to take four sabre com- 
panies, two from the Second Michigan and two from the 
Second Iowa, follow this wood road to the Blackland road, 
then to turn on it toward Booneville and charge the enemy 
from the rear. When they struck the enemy's rear Alger's 
troops were to cheer and Sheridan would then charge the 
enemy in front with his whole command. Under no circum- 
stances was Alger to deploy the battalion but to charge in 
column, right through whatever he came upon and report to 
Sheridan in front of Booneville if at all possible for him to 
get there. If he failed to break through the enemy's lines, he 
was to go ahead as far as he could and then if any of his men 
zvere left and he was able to retreat, he was to do so by the 
same route he had taken on his way out. 

Sheridan was a true soldier and ever careful of the rights 
of his men. He knew that he had no right to compel these 

66 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



officers and men to obey this order, and he frankly told them 
that he expected the quick and desperate work of a forlorn 
hope. But not a man of them took advantage of his statement 
to decline the perilous duty. Not a man murmured. All 
believed in Sheridan. All believed in Alger. All were willing 
to die for Old Glory and the Union. And so they rode on, 
these brave men of Michigan and Iowa led by their gallant 
Captain ; riding close to the flank of the enemy concealed only 
by the timber; armed with sabres only; no fire arms; close to 
the flank of 5,000 infantry armed with rifles, who at the first 
moment of discovery could deploy a force sufficient to instantly 
annihilate them; guided by a "long, thin, sallow, tawny haired 
Mississipian" whom they had never seen before and who might 
betray them any moment. 

Coming out upon the Blackland road at the appointed spot, 
they paused only long enough to capture the Confederate 
headquarter guard, then turned down the road and with quick- 
ened gallop rode on to charge the enemy. 

Not in line of battle, not in ranks deployed where each 
trooper rides side by side, but in column — column of fours. 
Alger at the head, then four sabres abreast, then four more 
and so on four abreast. Ninety sabres to charge through 5,000 
armed infantry! ! Sheridan had set the time for them to do 
the work at one hour. As it neared that time even his bold 
spirit trembled. "The enemy's firing," he says, "indicated 
such numerical strength that fear of disaster to Alger 
increased my anxiety terribly as the time set for his cheer- 
ing approached and no sound of it was heard." 

But the gallant ninety sabres still rode bravely on and fell 
upon the enemy like a wolf on the fold with ringing cheers and 
cries of battle. The rear lines of the enemy gave way and they 
pressed onward through them with renewed cries and shouts, 
their sabres flashing in the sunlight. There is a limit to all 
human valor — 50 to i is hopeless odds. The enemy was in 
front of them, to their right, to their left, and behind them. 
Their gallant leader was wounded and unhorsed and they were 
compelled to retreat by the route they came. But their retreat 
was not defeat. By a fortunate coincidence, Sheridan with the 

67 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



Second Michigan simultaneously attacked in front ; the Second 
Iowa pressed hard upon Chalmer's left and "the enemy broke 
and ran in the utmost disorder over the country in every direc- 
tion." Sheridan says: "His precipitous retreat was due to 
the pressure on his left from the Second Iowa in concert with 
the front attack of the Second Michigan and the demoraliza- 
tion brought about in his rear by Alger^ who had almost 
accomplished the purpose of his expedition, though he had 
failed to come through." 

This was Alger's baptism of fire. This was the beginning 
of that long record of his brave and faithful service which 
enriches the history of the War for the Union, 

He began his service as a Captain and ended it as a Brevet 
Major General — "brevetted Brigadier General for gallant and 
meritorious services at the battle of Trevillian Station, Va.," 
and Major General "for gallant and meritorious services 
during the war." 

While Secretary of War the Spanish-American War came 
like a clap of thunder from a clear sky. The Regular Army 
establishment comprised 2,143 officers and 26,040 men. The 
Quartermaster's Department had but 57 officers. The first 
call of the President for troops, April 23, was for 125,000 
men, the second call. May 25th, was for 75,000 men, and the 
increase in the regular force was approximately 61,000, making 
an aggregate increase of 261,000 men. 

The lack of arms, equipment and material was appalling. 

There were not enough Krag-Jorgensen rifles to equip the 
increased regular army ; there was no smokeless powder. The 
Government didn't manufacture it, and as war had been 
declared it was contraband of war and under the rules of Inter- 
national Law could not be purchased abroad. There was no 
Kaki cloth for uniforms. There were no tents and no duck of 
government standard obtainable. No shoes of government 
standard. Four hundred thousand pairs of shoes were supplied 
the troops from April 22nd to August 12th. Last but not 
least the Quartermaster's Department under the listless routine 
of a peace establishment had fallen into a strict formality of 
requisitions which, while proper and even necessary in peace, 

68 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



was wholly incongruous in this emergency. A Colonel of a 
Michigan regiment on the arrival of his regiment at Camp 
Thomas, Chickamauga, made requisition for tents for his 
regiment. They came, but without tent poles, ridge poles or 
tent pins. True, he should have named these in his requisition, 
but a moment's reflection by the Quartermaster should have 
told him that as this regiment had never had an issue of tents 
before, it needed all the essential articles to make the tents 
available for use. 

The Colonel of a regiment in my brigade on the hurried 
order of its departure for Cuba to join in the Santiago cam- 
paign, had not time to make formal requisition by mail and 
telegraphed Rock Island Arsenal for a bridle to be sent to him 
at Fortress Monroe, our point of embarkation. He received 
his bridle there but it had no bit. It must be remembered, 
however, that there were but 57 regular officers in the Quarter- 
master's Department. 

Augmenting these obstacles Admiral Dewey had destroyed 
the Spanish fleet and taken Manila, which necessitated the 
sending of twenty thousand troops under General Merritt to 
Manila, 7,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean, at the same time 
that General Shafter's expedition to Cuba was being launched. 

It was in the midst of these difficulties that two offensive 
campaigns — one seven thousand miles from our army's base, 
and one several hundred miles from any adequate base of 
supplies — were successfully conducted. 

A campaign of offence against a foreign shore is always 
full of difficulty. The Spanish Armada is a signal instance. 
England failed in her early expedition against Spain in the 
1 8th century. The campaign against Egypt overtaxed the 
splendid genius of Napoleon. The Crimean campaign 
brought discredit on the military prowess of Great Britain. 
But each of the campaigns in the Spanish War was successful. 
General Merritt, in co-operation with Admiral Dewey, 
assaulted and captured the City of Manila and quickly 
achieved supremacy of the Philippines. Shafter, in a remark- 
ably brilliant campaign, forced the surrender of all the troops 



69 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



in Cuba, many more thousands in number than his own forces, 
in the short space of twenty-seven days ! ! ! 

In less than a month Toral had surrendered all the Spanish 
troops in Cuba, greater in number than Shafter's entire com- 
mand. The Philippines had been taken from Spain, Cuba 
and the Philippines were free and only the incidental details 
of a treaty remained to be settled. 

Meantime at home there had been begun by captious 
critics, who were inimical to the war from the outset, com- 
plaints against the conduct of the war. "Embalmed Beef," 
"Rotten Rations" and like epithets filled the yellow journals, 
none of them supported by the facts, but still continued with 
increasingly exaggerated falsehoods regardless of the reports 
of impartial commissions and committees of Congress, regard- 
less whether he was responsible or not, growing more and 
more slanderous the more they were shown to be false, they 
were gladly espoused by hostile newspapers, and all their 
slander-tipped arrows of malice were aimed at the head of 
the Secretary of War. 

Even while he was completing his report of the brilliantly 
successful operations of his department the storm of calumny 
burst against him, and for some supposed reason never made 
public, and which we know now never existed in fact, he was 
forced to give up his office. 

The rains descended and the floods came and the winds 
blew and beat upon his reputation, and it fell not, for it was 
founded on a rock. But his political honors were taken away. 
His office was taken from him and he left Washington stripped 
of official power, to return to his home as a private citizen 
under the gloomy shadow of the obloquy of his dismissal. 
Some of his most intimate friends strongly urged him not to 
risk the kind of reception he might have and not to come 
directly home while the shock of his enforced retirement was 
fresh in the public mind. But Russell A. Alger never 
flinched before a foe. 

Cardinal Woolsey, standing amid the shattered wreck of 
his greatness, lamented, "Had I but served my God with half 

70 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



the zeal I served my King, He would not in mine age have 
left me naked to mine enemies." 

General Alger made no such lament. He had served his 
God and his country, 

"With a soul conscious of his integrity he smiled at the 
taunts of calumny." 

And so it was that as he came to his home journeying 
quietly and unattended, he was met at the borders of the State, 
by its Governor and State officers and hundreds of friends 
from Detroit and elsewhere, and accompanied to the city 
where waiting thousands of his fellow citizens escorted him 
through ranks of women and children who filled the sidewalks 
to the City Hall and passed before him with uncovered heads 
and greetings of affection, returning later to the reception in 
the City Hall to grasp his hand with affection and sympathy. 

Truly, as he himself said with tearful eyes — eyes that had 
never flinched from foe : 

"There never has been nor can ever be for me a greater 
honor." 

His subsequent life among us; his generosity as of old; 
his interest and activity in all that made for good; his election 
to the United States Senate by the unanimous vote of the 
Legislature — in which many of you participated and all of 
you who did not, regret you did not — are fresh in your minds. 

His life work was unusually successful. He acquired 
wealth — not tainted, but honestly and honorably acquired and 
wisely and generously employed. He gained the confidence of 
his fellow citizens and was given high honors and important 
offices by their suffrages. He filled those positions faithfully, 
successfully and with high class ability. He gained a proud 
record as a soldier. His private life was clean of any stain. 
He was a loving husband and father, a generous, charitable, 
pure-minded, God-fearing man. 

To no man more worthily than to him were the famous 
words of the Roman poet ever applied : 



"Integer vitae scelerisque puris." 



71 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



ADDRESS OF HON. JOHN T. RICH 

Mr. President, Gentlemen of the Joint Convention, Ladies 
and Gentlemen: 

It has often been said that, nothing succeeds Hke success. 
Judged by this standard General Alger was a very success- 
ful man in all he undertook. He started like the most of 
American young men, poor and dependent on his own 
resources for whatever success he was to obtain. He early 
responded to his country's call for men. How well he served 
her is shown by history and by the rapid promotions which 
he received, which were given strictly on the basis of being 
earned and deserved. When his country no longer required 
his services on the field he took up the battle of life vigorously 
and was very successful in accumulating a fortune. The 
methods adopted in securing it have never been criticized 
except for their boldness. With that fortune he has been 
generous to the poor and just to every one who had any 
claims upon him. 

In every case, when met by unusual difficulties or reverses, 
he was hopeful, optimistic and courageous. This is the repu- 
tation he has among his business associates and personal 
friends. When his record and management of the difficult 
position of Secretary of War was so severely criticized, during 
which the war with Spain occurred, he was hurt badly, but 
conscious of his integrity and well doing he appealed to the 
people of the country successfully, and when he died the papers 
which had been the most bitter on him spoke well of him and 
of his record. The people of Detroit and Michigan always 
believed in him. The public demonstration in his favor when 
he returned to Detroit after his resignation as Secretary of 
War, was one that could not be misinterpreted and was par- 
ticipated in by the rich and poor alike, by the people of the 
State and of the City. When he became a candidate for the 

73 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



Senate public sentiment was very strong in his favor, not 
only because they knew him and believed in him, but as a 
means of showing their resentment of the unwarranted and 
cruel attacks on him by the outside press. Had his health not 
failed he would have been honored by a second election as 
Senator from Michigan. 

In all his acts and all his life he has had the courage of his 
convictions, and whether in politics, business, military or 
social matters he was prompt to act. He was optimistic and 
seemed to have courage to meet any emergencies, even after 
his health failed and his friends knew that his time on earth 
was short. In November, 1905, I had my last visit with him. 
He was feeling better that day than usual and talked of his 
future plans, both official and business, much more like a man 
of thirty-five than a man nearly seventy with greatly impaired 
health. He continued to discharge all his duties official, 
Social and business, in the thorough manner which had always 
been his practice. He always said he wanted to die in the 
harness, and I understand his wish was gratified. As young 
man, soldier, officer, in business, in a social way, as a host to 
so many people throughout the state and nation, as Governor 
and Senator, he met every responsibility honestly and effect- 
ively. The world is much richer for his having lived, and his 
history will be an inspiration to youth for years to come. 



74 



%fit ILiit of (§en. ^Iger 



1 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



5KLTCH OF THL LIFL OF THL LATL 
RU55LLL A. ALGLR 

Russell Alexander Alger was born in Lafayette Town- 
ship, Medina County, Ohio, on February 27, 1836. He was 
descended on both his parents' sides from distinguished Col- 
onial and Revolutionary stock. John Alger, his great grand- 
father, served with distinction in the war for independence, 
and from his branch of the family came some of the most 
intrepid pioneers of the Western Reserve. Russell Alger, the 
grandson of John Alger and father of Russell Alexander 
Alger, moved from the family home in Connecticut in 1832 
and settled in southern Ohio. General Alger's mother was 
Caroline Moulton, descendant of Robert Moulton who came 
to Massachusetts from England in 1637. Upon her marriage 
to Russell Alger, she went with him to Medina County, Ohio, 
where a few years later amidst all the hardships and privations 
of frontier life, their son was born. At an early age young 
Alger was compelled to begin the hard struggle for existence. 
Left an orphan when only eleven years old, with a younger 
brother and sister to care for, he found homes for them and 
arranged to work for their board and clothes. For seven years 
he contrived by virtue of hard labor on the neighboring farms, 
not only to support these children and himself, but to attend 
the fall and winter terms of the Richfield Academy. At nine- 
teen he became teacher of the District School. Early in 1857, 
when twenty-one years old, Mr. Alger went to Akron, Ohio, 
where he read law for two years in the office of Wolcott & 
Upson. In March, 1859, he was admitted to the bar of the 
Supreme Court of the State and entered the law offices of 
Otis, Coffinbury & Wyman, in Cleveland. His health, how- 
ever, becoming impaired through hard study and the con- 
finement of indoor life, he was forced, a year later, to abandon 
for more active employment, the profession he had labored so 
hard to master. 

77 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



December 31, i860, Mr. Alger left Ohio for Michigan, 
to engage in the lumber business. He took up his residence at 
Grand Rapids and there on April 2, 1861, he married Miss 
Annette Henry, the eldest daughter of Hon. William Gilmore 
Henry. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. Alger was 
among the first to respond to the President's call for volun- 
teers. He raised a company of cavalry and was mustered into 
service September 2, 1861, as captain of Troop C, Second 
Michigan Cavalry. General Alger's career as a soldier was 
a brilliant one. He took part in sixty-six battles and skirm- 
ishes and received his successive promotions as rewards of 
valor. His military record given in the military history of 
Michigan is as follows : 

"Captain Second Michigan Cavalry, September 2, 1861 ; 
major, April 18, 1862; wounded and taken prisoner at Boone- 
ville, Miss., July i, 1862, escaped same day; lieutenant colonel 
Sixth Michigan Cavalry, October 16, 1862; colonel Fifth 
Michigan Cavalry, June 5, 1863, to date from February 28, 
1863; wounded in action at Boonesborough, Md., July 8, 
1864; brevetted brigadier general United States Volunteers 
for gallant and meritorious service, to rank from the battle of 
Trevillian Station, Va., June 11. 1864; brevetted major gen- 
eral United States Volunteers, March 12, 1867, to date from 
June II, 1865, for gallant and meritorious services during the 
war." 

Alger's first action of note was a bold ride from Corinth 
to Pittsburg Landing as the bearer of a request from his regi- 
ment to Governor Blair, for a new leader. The Governor 
offered him this place, but he declined the honor, urging that it 
be given to Captain Philip H. Sheridan, stationed at that time 
sixty miles away. The Governor acceded to this request and 
made him the messenger. So, though having been for thirty- 
six hours continuously in the saddle, Captain Alger returned 
at once with the order that gave to Sheridan his first independ- 
ent command. 

Then follows the battle of Booneville, Mississippi, on July 
I, 1862, when Sheridan with his new regiment defeated a 

78 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



Confederate force of five thousand men. In this engagement 
Alger, with but ninety-two troopers, attacked the rear of 
General Chalmer's column and threw it into the confusion which 
eventually caused its defeat. Alger lost forty-one men in this 
charge and he himself was severely wounded and taken pris- 
oner, but escaped the same day. Sheridan has written the 
story of this charge and says he "reckons it as one of the finest 
exploits of the war." The following October Alger was com- 
missioned lieutenant colonel of the Sixth Michigan Cavalry. 
Then in February, 1863, came his promotion to the colonelcy of 
the Fifth Michigan Cavalry. This was one of the four regi- 
ments in the immortal Michigan Cavalry Brigade and events 
followed fast on one another in a glorious series of battles. No 
cavalry force ever made a finer record. In over sixty engage- 
ments Alger did his share and order after order by Sheridan, 
Kilpatrick, and Custer tell the story of his gallantry and 
devotion to the cause of the Union. His command was the 
first Northern regiment to arrive at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863, 
and rendered gallant service during the battle, he being espe- 
cially commended by Custer for bravery in action. After the 
battle of Gettysburg, when pursuing General Lee's army, the 
cavalry was continuously engaged; charge after charge they 
made, six engagements in five days, and it was during the 
last of these, the second battle of Boonesborough, Md., July 
8, 1863, that Colonel Alger was again seriously wounded. 
He was carried from the field, but in less than six weeks 
returned again to the front. General Custer's report of Octo- 
ber, 1863, tells of the famous charge of the Michigan Brigade 
at James City, Virginia, October 9th; of how, divided into 
two columns headed by the Fifth (Alger's) and the First, 
with sabres drawn and bands playing, they cut their way 
through Lee's army. And how again that same night Alger, 
at the head of one small battalion, charged a battery and forced 
its change of position. Custer's report describing this attack 
"as daring in the extreme," follows with the description of the 
battle of Buckland Mills, October 19, "when the brunt of the 
attack fell on the Fifth Michigan Cavalry, cutting it off from 
the main force, and which Colonel Alger met with his usual 

79 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



intrepidity and skill," Michigan in the War quotes from the 
New York Herald of that date: "It is wonderful that our 
loss is so slight, the enemy being in such overwhelming 
strength, and to the gallantry and ability of Kilpatrick, Custer 
and Alger — the last particularly distinguished himself — can 
be imputed the fortunate termination of the affair." 

Late in November, 1863, the brigade went into camp at 
Stevensburg, Virginia, and while there in February, 1864, 
Colonel Alger was detailed as special commissioner of the 
War Department in regard to the amnesty proclamation then 
pending. In connection with this service he visited every army 
in the field, making his report directly to the President. This 
was one of the most important private commissions placed in 
the hands of a soldier during the war. 

With the spring came the campaign with Sheridan and 
Custer; the battles of the Wilderness and the "Sheridan 
Raid." At Yellow Tavern, Virginia, May loth, the enemy's 
cavalry under Major General J. E. B. Stuart was encountered, 
and again the Fifth Michigan Cavalry won renown in its 
splendid charges, and again General Custer reports "the gal- 
lantry of its leader. Colonel Alger." On June 11, at the 
battle of Trevillian Station, Alger led a charge that has 
become historic. Sheridan described it in his Memoirs as "by 
far the most brilliant one of the campaign." "Alger's regi- 
ment charged gallantly down the Gordonsville road, capturing 
1,500 horses and about 800 men." This charge gave Colonel 
Alger his commission as brevet brigadier general "for gallant 
and meritorious service." 

On the 31st of July, 1864, the brigade was ordered to pro- 
ceed to Washington and thence to the Shenandoah Valley. 
While in Washington, Colonel Alger was assigned to gen- 
eral court martial duty, but was relieved in order to go with 
General Sheridan to the Shenandoah Valley, where he served 
with distinction until, forced by ill-health, he returned to 
Washington, September 19th, and resigned from the army, 
receiving his discharge, September 20th, 1864. 

General Alger then returned to Grand Rapids, Michigan, 
and reengaged in the lumber business. Removing to Detroit 

80 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



in 1866, he became a member of the firm of Moore & Alger and 
later the head, successively, of R. A. Alger & Company and 
Alger, Smith & Company, whose operations extended over 
Michigan, Minnesota, Florida and seven other states and 
Canada. An employer of a great number of men, he was 
always in sympathy with their aims and requirements. He was 
deeply interested in the development of the country — its 
mines and natural resources — and instrumental in the organ- 
ization of two of the largest banks in Detroit, and many manu- 
facturing concerns. 

A Republican from the time of the organization of that 
party, General Alger took an active interest in all its suc- 
cesses. In 1884, he was a delegate at large to the Republican 
convention in Chicago. That same year he was elected gov- 
ernor of Michigan, but declined a second term two years later. 
As governor he instituted the Board of Pardons and was instru- 
mental in transferring the Lake Superior Ship Canal to the 
general government. Michigan presented his name as candi- 
date for the Presidency at the Republican national convention 
in 1888. He stood second for nomination on the second ballot 
and on the fifth received one hundred and forty-two votes. 
Michigan supported him to the end and later made him the 
first elector at large of the State. 

General Alger was a member of the Grand Army of the 
Republic, its first state commander, and in 1889, at the national 
encampment at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he was unanimously 
elected commander in chief of the order. He was a member 
of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, and at one time 
Commander of the State Commandery. He was also a mem- 
ber of the Society of the Army of the Potomac, the Sons of 
the American Revolution and other patriotic organizations. 

In March, 1897, General Alger was appointed Secretary 
of War by President McKinley, and held that portfolio dur- 
ing the Spanish- American War, resigning in August, 1899. 

The War with Spain, declared April 21, 1898, found our 
country totally unprepared, having an army of only 2,143 
officers and 26,040 enlisted men. With this as a nucleus, 
Secretary Alger was called upon to organize, equip and put 

81 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



into the field an army of 275,000 men, of which about 225,000 
were volunteer soldiers coming from every state in the Union. 
How ably he met the call is shown by the results of his labor. 
With no army transports and empty military storehouses, 
with lack of every kind of arms, ammunition and equipment, 
on him, as executive officer, fell the immense task of provid- 
ing everything. That Secretary Alger proved equal to this 
emergency and that his administration was one of signal effi- 
ciency is recognized the world over. He served his country 
faithfully and well, as statesman and patriot. 

General Alger^'s return to Detroit in August, 1899, was 
made the occasion of a great civic demonstration. He was 
met at the station by the Mayor and with military and naval 
escorts conducted to the City Hall, where 50,000 people wel- 
comed him back to Michigan. In 1900, General Alger 
wrote his book on the Spanish-American War, a history 
whose value was at once recognized by the government, 
which ordered it placed in its military and naval libraries. 

September 2^, 1902, General Alger was appointed 
United States Senator by the governor of Michigan, to 
fill the vacancy caused by the death of Senator James 
McMillan. In January, 1903, he was elected senator by the 
legislature, his term to expire March 3, 1907. 

As senator, General Alger served on many important 
committees. His wide military knowledge, his business 
insight and capacity, and his acknowledged high personal 
character gave him wide influence. 

Senator Alger was stricken on January 24, 1907, with 
acute oedema of the lungs, dying at his home in Washington, 
D. C., within the hour. His death came as a great shock to 
the community and the country at large. Immediately upon its 
announcement, the President and Vice-President sent messages 
expressing deep sorrow. On that day the United States Sen- 
ate convened and after the Chaplain had delivered a special 
prayer, resolutions expressing regret and sorrow were adopted 
and a committee was appointed to attend the body to Detroit. 
The Senate, as a further mark of respect, adjourned. The 

82 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



House of Representatives met for the same purpose and then 
adjourned. The Secretary of War formally announced the 
Senator's death to the army in the following order : 

"War Department, ) 
Washington, Jan. 24, 1907. j" 

The Secretary of War announces with deep sorrow the 
death of the Honorable Russell Alexander Alger, which 
occurred on the 24th instant, at his residence in this city. 

General Alger was Secretary of War during the adminis- 
tration of President McKinley, from March 5, 1897, to August 
I, 1899, a period during which the administration of the War 
Department was brought into great prominence through its 
activities in connection with the war with Spain, and the 
military operations in the Philippines that succeeded it. Gen- 
eral Alger was patriotic, earnest and most devoted to the 
interests of the army and especially considerate of the welfare 
of enlisted men. He was a gentle, kindly man, with great 
confidence in his friends and associates, and was much beloved 
by his subordinates. He was the subject of unjust criticism 
because of the country's lack of preparedness for war when 
war came, although for this he was in no wise responsible. 

His record as a soldier in the civil war was long, useful, 
and highly honorable. In August, 1861, he entered the volun- 
teer army, being mustered into service as a Captain in the 
Second Michigan Cavalry. He became successively Major, 
Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel of Michigan Volunteers, and 
was appointed Brevet Brigadier General and Brevet Major 
General United States Vounteers, June 11, 1865, for gallant 
and meritorious service during the war. He was elected Com- 
mander in Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic in 1889. 

In 1884, he was elected Governor of Michigan, declining a 
renomination in 1886. On September 27, 1902, he was 
appointed United States Senator by the Governor of Michigan, 
to fill a vacancy, and took his seat on December 2, 1902. In 
January, 1903, he was elected by the Legislature of Michigan 
for the term which will expire March 3, 1907. 

83 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



As a mark of respect to his memory, it is ordered that the 
flags at all military posts be displayed at half staff on the day 
of the funeral. William H. Taft, 

Secretary of War." 

The Governor of Michigan issued the following procla- 
mation : 

"To the People of the State of Michigan : 

Honorable Russell Alexander Alger, Senator of the 
United States from Michigan, died at Washington, D. C, at 
8:45 o'clock, Tuesday morning, January 24, 1907. 

Descending from New England ancestors, the life of Sen- 
ator Alger shows a steady ascent to the honorable and 
important station in which death found him. He was success- 
ively farm laborer, school teacher, lawyer, captain, major, 
lieutenant colonel, brigadier general, governor, commander 
in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, Secretary of War 
and United States Senator from Michigan. It falls to the lot 
of few men to serve their state and nation in such exalted 
stations. 

In every capacity he rendered faithful, unselfish and valu- 
able service. His duties and responsibilities, whether attach- 
ing to private or public life, were discharged with integrity 
and ability and his country will accord him that meed of 
praise which is justly his due. 

During the lifetime of Senator Alger, Michigan never 
failed to testify to her love and devotion for him wherever 
opportunity presented itself, and it is in the highest degree 
fitting, that the state he served so well should honor his 
memory. 

It is therefore ordered that the flags at the capitol and all 
state institutions be displayed at half staff until after his burial 
and that on the day of his funeral, business be wholly sus- 
pended in all state departments. 

Fred M. Warner, 
Executive Office, Governor." 

January 24, 1907. 

84 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



The State Legislature convened and adjourned after 
passing resolutions of sorrow and making arrangements to 
attend the funeral in a body. It also appended the following 
to the Governor's proclamation : 

"The services of General Alger in war and in peace 
have been signalized by conspicuous devotion to duty, unflinch- 
ing courage, wisdom and patriotism, and have been freely 
rendered to the state and the nation." 

As chief executive of the City of Detroit Mayor Thompson 
issued the following proclamation : 

"It is with profound regret that I have heard of the death 
of Senator Russell A. Alger. 

Senator Alger was a prominent type of our older, dis- 
tinguished citizens and statesmen. He inherited neither 
wealth nor position, but was early thrown upon his own 
resources and had to do his own founding and building, and 
everyone will admit that he founded and built well. 

He served his country well as a soldier and in his mature 
years the nation profited by his knowledge and experience dur- 
ing another crisis while he was Secretary of War. Michigan 
honored him and herself by electing him as her Senator. 

The City of Detroit owes much to Mr. Alger. He had 
confidence in its future and was ever ready to enlist in any 
movement for its advancement. 

The name of Russell A. Alger in Detroit was synonym- 
ous with charity. Nothing nobler can be said of any man 
than that he shared his wealth with those who were less for- 
tunate. 

All honor to his memory. 

Our distinguished fellow-citizen, Russell A. Alger, will 
be carried to his last resting place on Monday afternoon, Jan- 
uary 28. 

As a mark of respect to his memory, I proclaim the day 
of the funeral a half holiday, and request that all public 
buildings and schools be closed at noon, that our merchants 
suspend all business during the ceremonies, and that all flags 
be placed at half mast until after the funeral. 

Wm. B. Thompson, Mayor." 

85 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



The President of the United States and the Vice-President, 
members of the Diplomatic Corps and the Justices of the 
Supreme Court, all the Cabinet officials, and the Senate in a 
body, the Speaker and members of the House of Representa- 
tives, and the Michigan Delegation paid tribute to the memory 
of Senator Alger at the funeral services held at his residence 
in Washington, Saturday, January 26th. Officers of the 
Army and Navy, members of the Loyal Legion and Grand 
Army of the Republic, hundreds of people in official and social 
life, were gathered in the house or stood outside. The cere- 
mony, though brief, was very impressive. It was conducted 
under the auspices of the United States Senate, Rev. Dr. 
Wallace Radcliffe of the New York Avenue Church read- 
ing selections from the Bible and offering prayer, and Rev. 
Edward Everett Hale, Chaplain of the Senate, pronouncing 
a short eulogy and reading the message of the Secretary of 
War announcing the death of Senator Alger. At the 
conclusion of the service the casket, covered with the flag 
and laden with flowers, was borne from the house, and 
the funeral cortege, headed by a troop of cavalry, their 
sabres drawn, moved slowly down the broad avenues thronged 
with people who stood with bared heads as it passed. 
Committees from the United States Senate and House of 
Representatives, the Michigan delegation and family, leav- 
ing Washington by special train, accompanied the body of 
Senator Alger to Detroit. The Mayor and Common Coun- 
cil met the train at Detroit, and with Grand Army of the 
Republic and Spanish War veterans acting as guard of honor, 
escorted the body of Senator Alger to the City Hall, where 
in the main corridor, the walls of which were hung in black, 
under a canopy of American flags, and guarded by a detach- 
ment of United States soldiers, the body lay in state. And 
there until darkness fell a continuous line of people passed 
the casket, paying their tribute of reverence to the memory 
of the dead. 

Monday afternoon, January 27th, the funeral of General 
Alger took place from his home on Fort Street, in the pres- 
ence of the committees from the United States Senate and 

86 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



the House of Representatives, the Governor and his staff, the 
State Legislature and officials, the judiciary of the county and 
city, the Mayor, city and federal officials, and commander and 
past commanders of the Grand Army of the Republic and 
Loyal Legion, the Worshipful Master and a committee from 
Corinthian Lodge, No. 241, F. and A. M., and hundreds of 
old friends and comrades. The services at the house, con- 
ducted by Rev. Dr. Pence and Rev. Dr. Cooper, were very 
simple. It was a soldier's funeral, and the flag-covered coffin 
was escorted to its last resting place by detachments of the 
Seventh Regiment, U. S. A., the First Regiment of the Mich- 
igan National Guard, and the Michigan Naval Reserves. The 
whole city mourned the dead. Flags were at half staff, busi- 
ness was practically suspended, and thousands of people lined 
the streets to the very gates of the cemetery, standing for hours 
in the piercing cold to do him honor. At Elmwood Cemetery 
the casket was placed in the family mausoleum. The burial 
ritual of the Grand Army of the Republic was read by the 
Fairbanks Post. Taps were sounded and three volleys fired — 
a soldier's farewell. 

General Alger is survived by his wife and five children : 
Caroline, wife of Henry D. Shelden, of Detroit ; Fay, wife of 
William E. Bailey, of Harrisburg, Penna. ; Frances, wife of 
Charles B. Pike, of Chicago; Russell Alexander Alger, Jr., 
and Frederick Moulton Alger, of Detroit. 

General Alger was a man of large charities. He was a 
generous giver to innumerable benevolent organizations and 
institutions, but his personal and private gifts were even 
greater. He was a member of the Presbyterian church and 
took a deep interest in its work. 

Memorial Services were held in the United States Senate, 
Washington, D. C, the morning of February 23, 1907. 

Memorial Services were held in the House of Representa- 
tives, W^ashington, D. C, the afternoon of February 2^, 1907. 

Memorial Services were held the evening of April 10, 
1907, in the Hall of Representatives at the Capitol, Lansing, 
Michigan, by the Legislature in joint session, the Governor, 

87 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



his Staff, Lieutenant-Governor, Supreme Court and state 
officials. 

Memorial Services were held in the Fort Street Presbyter- 
ian Church, Detroit, Michigan, the evening of March 24, 
1907. 

Memorials of sorrow and regret at the death of General 
Alger were adopted by the Military Order of the Loyal 
Legion, by Posts of the Grand Army of the Republic all over 
the country, by the Common Council of Detroit, by the Cham- 
ber of Commerce of Detroit, by innumerable patriotic and 
beneficiary societies, by the People's State and other banks, 
by Trust Companies, by churches and charitable institutions 
in almost every state, but no one would have touched his heart 
more than the resolutions adopted by the Newsboys of Detroit 
at the service they held in his memory. 



ft^ 



88 



Ilesi0latit)e ^ro(eetiins0 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



PROCLLD1NG5 OF THL LLG15LATURL 

Death of Senator Russell A. Alger. 

The following message from the Governor was received 
and read in the Senate and House respectively: 

Executive Office^ [ 

Lansing, January 24, 1907. ) 

To the Speaker of the House of Representatives: 

Sir: — Honorable Russell A. Alger, Senator of the 
United States from Michigan, died at Washington, D. C, 
at 8 :45 a. m., January 24th, 1907, thereby creating a vacancy 
in the representation of this State in the Senate of the United 
States. 

Full of years and honors, Senator Alger has gone to his 
reward. It falls to the lot of few men to serve their state 
and nation in such exalted stations. Not alone because of the 
honors and responsibilities that came to him in civil life do we 
revere his memory. As a Michigan soldier he rendered dis- 
tinguished services in the War of Rebellion. Michigan never 
failed during the lifetime of Senator Alger to testify to 
her love and devotion for him when the opportunity presented 
itself and it is fitting in the highest degree that arrangements 
be made by the Legislature of the State he loved and honored 
for services at which proper expression may be given of the 
loss our State has sustained. 

Very respectfully, 

Fred M. Warner, 

Governor. 



91 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



By unanimous consent the House returned to the order of 
motions and resolutions. Mr, Weiss offered the following 
resolution : 

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 26. 

Whereas, Intelligence has been received of the sudden 
death at Washington of General Russell A. Alger, one of 
the Senators from Michigan in the Congress of the United 
States; and 

Whereas, The services of General Alger in war and 
peace have been signalized by conspicuous devotion to duty, 
unflinching courage, wisdom and patriotism and have been 
freely rendered to the state and the nation; therefore 

Resolved by the House (the Senate concurring), That a 
committee to consist of three Senators and three Representa- 
tives be appointed to prepare suitable resolutions and to 
arrange for memorial exercises; and be it further 

Resolved, That a committee to represent the Legislature, 
and to consist of the President, the President Pro Tem, the 
Secretary and the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate and five 
Senators, the Speaker, the Speaker Pro Tem, the Clerk, the 
Sergeant-at-Arms of the House and ten Representatives, 
attend the funeral of General Alger, at Detroit. 

The resolution was adopted. 

The Speaker announced as the committee to prepare reso- 
lutions and arrange Memorial Exercises, Messrs. Greusel, 
McCarthy and Burdick; and as the committee to attend the 
funeral, Messrs. Weiss, Burns, Powers, Folks, Dust, Trabbic, 
Henry, Campbell, Davis and Perry. 

The Select Committee appointed on the part of the House 
under House Resolution No. 26, by Mr. Greusel, Chairman, 
made the following report : 

The Select Committee of the Senate and House of Rep- 
resentatives appointed to arrange a program of exercises in 

92 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



memory of the late Russell A. Alger, United States Sen- 
ator from Michigan, make the foUowing recommendations: 

That the Senate and House of Representatives convene in 
joint session in the Hall of the House of Representatives on 
Wednesday, April lo, 1907, at 8:00 o'clock p. m., and that 
the Memorial Exercises be made a special order for that time. 

The committee further report that Rev. Edward H, Pence, 
D. D., will deliver an invocation, and that Hon. J, C. Burrows, 
Hon. Wm. Alden Smith, Hon. Don M. Dickinson and Gen. 
Henry M. Duffield will make addresses on that occasion, and 
that former Gov. John T. Rich, Gov. Fred M. Warner, Lieut.- 
Gov. Patrick H. Kelly and the Chairmen of the House and 
Senate Committees will take part in the exercises. 

The State officers, the members of the Supreme Court and 
the officers of the Military Department, of the G. A. R., and 
of the Spanish War Veterans, will be invited to attend. Cards 
of invitation will be furnished the members of the two houses 
severally for distribution. 

The report was accepted and adopted, and concurred in by 
the Senate. 

By unanimous consent, Mr. Greusel offered the following 
resolution : 

HOUSE resolution NO. 42. 

Resolved, That the Hall of Representatives be reserved for 
the evening of April lo, 1907, for a joint session of the two 
houses to be held on that evening in memory of the late 
General Russell A. Alger, United States Senator from 
Michigan, and that the proper officers of the House arrange 
the necessary seats for invited guests and visitors, and other- 
wise prepare the hall for the occasion. 

The resolution was adopted. 

The Select Committee appointed on the part of the House 
under House Resolution No. 26. by Mr. Greusel, Chairman, 
made the following report: 

The Select Committee of the Senate and House of Rep- 
resentatives appointed to make arrangements for exercises 
in memory of the late Russell A. Alger, United States 

93 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



Senator from Michigan, recommend the adoption of the fol- 
lowing program for Wednesday evening, April lo, in the 
Hall of the House of Representatives : 

1. Invocation — Rev. E. H. Pence, D. D., of Fort Street 

Presbyterian Church, Detroit. 

2. Opening Remarks — Hon. Patrick H. Kelley, Lieutenant 

Governor of Michigan. 

3. Resolutions — Hon. J. Edward Bland, Chairman Joint 

Committee. 

4. Address — Hon. Joseph Greusel, Chairman House Com- 

mittee. 

5. Address — Hon. Julius C. Burrows, Senior United States 

Senator from Michigan. 

6. Address — Hon. Fred M. Warner, Governor of Mich- 

igan. 

7. Address — Hon. Don. M. Dickinson, Former Postmaster 

General. 

8. Address — Gen. Henry M. Duffield. 

9 Address — Hon. John T. Rich, Former Governor of 
Michigan. 

10. Address — Hon. William Alden Smith, United States 
Senator from Michigan. 

The report was adopted. 

Under messages from the House, the above resolution was 
read in the Senate and the resolutions were unanimously 
adopted. 

The President of the Senate also announced the following 
committee on the part of the Senate to attend the funeral : 
Senators Ely, Martindale, Russell, Tuttle and Yeomans. 

The President also announced the following committee to 
act on the part of the Senate in the arrangements for the 
General Alger Memorial Exercises: Senators Bland, Wet- 
more and Smith. 

94 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



House of Representatives, ) 
Lansing^ April loth, 7 140 o'clock p. m. ) 



The House was called to order by the Speaker pro tern. 

The Speaker pro tern announced that the House, in accord- 
ance with the recommendation of the committee appointed on 
the part of the House under House Resolution No. 26, would 
meet with the Senate in joint convention at 8 o'clock p. m. 

Mr. J. S. Monroe moved that a special committee, con- 
sisting of three members, be appointed to notify the Senate 
that the House was ready to meet in joint convention. 

The motion prevailed. 

The Speaker pro tem appointed as such committee, Messrs. 
J. S. Monroe, Farrell and Nank. 

The Sergeant-at-Arms announced the committee appointed 
to wait on the Senate. 

The committee, through its chairman, Mr. J. S. Monroe, 
reported that it had performed the duty assigned to it, and 
was discharged. 

The Sergeant-at-Arms announced the Lieutenant Gov- 
ernor and members of the Senate, who were admitted and con- 
ducted to seats. 



95 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



JOINT CONVENTION 

Lansing^ April loth, 1908. 

The joint convention was called to order by the President 
of the joint convention, Hon. Patrick H. Kelley, President 
of the Senate. 

The President of the joint convention announced in a 
short address that the two Houses of the Legislature had 
met to hold joint Memorial Exercises in memory of Hon. 
Russell A. Alger. 

The roll of the Senate was called by the Secretary, who 
announced that a quorum of the Senate was present. 

The roll of the House was called by the Clerk, who 
announced that a quorum of the House was present. 

Representative McCracken moved that a committee con- 
sisting of three members be appointed to wait on the Gover- 
nor and staff and invite them to be present at the joint conven- 
tion. 

The motion prevailed. 

The President of the joint convention appointed as such 
committee, Representatives McCracken and Miller and Sen- 
ator Cady. 

Senator Wetmore moved that a committee consisting of 
three members be appointed to wait on the Justices of the 
Supreme Court and invite them to be present at the joint con- 
vention. 

The motion prevailed. 

The President of the joint convention appointed as such 
committee, Senator Wetmore and Representatives Mont- 
gomery and Bierd. 

Representative Stannard moved that a committee consist- 
ing of three members be appointed to wait upon the State 
officers and invite them to be present at the joint convention. 

The motion prevailed. 

96 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



The President of the joint convention appointed as such 
committee Representatives Stannard and Wilhtts and Sen- 
ator Fairbanks. 

The Sergeant-at-Arms announced the committee appointed 
to wait on the Governor and staff and invite them to attend the 
joint convention. 

The committee, through its chairman, Representative 
McCracken, reported that it had performed the duty assigned 
it and was discharged. 

The Sergeant-at-Arms announced the Governor and staff, 
who were admitted and conducted to seats. 

The Sergeant-at-Arms announced the committee appointed 
to wait on the Justices of the Supreme Court and invite them to 
attend the joint convention. 

The committee, through its chairman, Senator Wetmore, 
reported that it had performed the duty assigned it and was 
discharged. 

The Sergeant-at-Arms announced the Justices of the Su- 
preme Court, who were admitted and conducted to seats. 

The Sergeant-at-Arms announced the committee appointed 
to wait on the State officers and invite them to attend the 
joint convention. 

The committee, through its chairman. Representative 
Stannard, reported that it had performed the duty assigned it 
and was discharged. 

The Sergeant-at-Arms announced the State officers, who 
were admitted and conducted to seats. 

At the conchision of the Memorial Exercises, Senator 
Bland moved that the joint convention adjourn. The motion 
prevailed, the time being lo 140 o'clock p. m. 

Elbert V. Chilson, 

Secretary of the Senate. 

Charles S. Pierce, 

Clerk of the House of Representatives. 

Secretaries of the Joint Convention. 

97 



RUSSELL ALEXANDER ALGER 



5LNATL RL50LUTI0N NO. 70 

Mr. Seeley offered the following Resolution, which was 
adopted : 

Resolved, By the Senate, the House concurring, that the 
Legislature provide for the publication of two memorial 
volumes, to contain the memorial exercises by the Legislature 
in honor of the late Senator Russell A. Alger^ and the mem- 
orial exercises by the Legislature in honor of the late Governor 
A. T. Bliss, respectively; that said volumes include the reso- 
lutions, addresses and letters and telegrams of regret and 
sketches of the lives of the men in whose honor the exercises 
were held ; that each edition consist of five hundred copies and 
that the work be done under the direction of the State Board 
of Auditors, who are hereby authorized to incur the necessary 
expense therefor; that the respective chairmen of the House 
and Senate select committees in charge of such exercises be 
invited and authorized to aid in editing and compiling the 
necessary data, relative to said exercises. And that when 
completed said works be delivered to the Secretary of State 
and that one copy of each volume be sent to the Governor, 
Lieutenant-Governor, to each Senator and Representative in 
the Legislature and to each officer of the Senate and House 
of Representatives at their respective home addresses; also a 
sufificient number of copies to the family of General Alger 
and to the family of Governor Bliss, one copy of each volume to 
the representatives in Congress from the State of Michigan, 
one copy to each of those participating in the respective exer- 
cises and to the newspaper editors at the respective homes of 
the ])ersons in whose honor the exercises were held, and the 
remaining volumes to go to the State Library for distribution 
among the several public libraries of the state as far as 
necessary. 

98 

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